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Prohibition 
in Kansas 



SSr- 

HON. W<TR. STUBBS 

Governor of Kansas 



Delivered at the Great Northern Theatre, 
Chicago, March 27, 1910 



Published By 

THE AMERICAN ISSUE PUBLISHING CO. 

WESTERVILLE, OHIO. 




HON. W...R.:STUBBS 



V\NJ 5030 

ADDRESS OF GOVERNOR W. R. STUBBS OF KANSAS, 
AT CHICAGO, SUNDAY, MARCH 27. 

In Which He Tells What Constitutional Prohibition Has Done for Kansas, 
Giving a Great Many Documents in Support of His Argument. 

I came to Chicago to defend the fair name of Kansas against the slanders of 
those whose interest it is to see our laws violated, our civilization defamed and 
our state policies impeached. 

I am going to furnish you and the country exact and indisputable facts 
concerning the enforcement and operation of the prohibition law in Kansas. 
The proof which I shall submit to you would be accepted as conclusive evidence 
before any court in the United States. 

I am anxious to know whether the good people of Chicago are willing to 
credit the statemn ;s of a combination of brewers and saloonkeepers who are 
spending hundred? of thousands of dollars annually to poison public opinion, 
and debauch t^e iaw in preference to the statements of those who are standing 
up for : 1, American home, working and pleading for decency in public life and 
making effo; ; in every direction to build up a great state on the foundation of a 
wholesome morality. 

I did not come here as a politician, for I have never yet had either the time 
or the inclination to iearn the laws or tricks of scientific politics. 

1 have never made a prohibition speech in my life. I am a practical, plain- 
speaking business man and while I regard the moral and sentimental sides of 
the question as constituting its strongest claim on society for support I propose, 
to a very large extent, to discuss the subject from a cold-blooded, economic 
standpoint. In other words, I am going to present it to you as a sound business 
proposition. 

When I was a candidate for governor in 1908 I made the campaign for my 
nomination and election on the proposition that if elected to this office every 
saloon, joint and place of every kind whatever regardless of the sentiment of 
the community had to be closed. This proposition was made in my campaign 
speeches to the saloon men in "wet" communities as well as to temperance 
people; I stated publicly all over Kansas — in Pittsburg in the mining districts 
as well as the localities where the law was enforced — that any man who estab- 
lished himself in the saloon business in violation of the laws and constitution 
of Kansas would be regarded the same as any other outlaw, and all the power 
and force of the state government would be used to punish and destroy his 
business. 

This does not mean that we have no violations of the prohibitory law, 
for if there were no violations such a law would not be necessary. It does 
mean that the prohibitory law in Kansas is as well enforced as other criminal 
statutes, and that when men violate it they are arrested, convicted and promptly 
sent to prison. 

The United States government has taken a step which will aid materially in 
stamping out the irresponsible bootlegger and whiskey vender who now is 
the principal violator of the prohibitory law in Kansas. Under direction of 
President Taft the Attorney General of the United States has ordered United 
States district attorneys in " 'dry' territory" not to compromise with men who 
violate the internal revenue laws by permitting them to pay fines, but to prose- 
cute them and send them to jail for a reasonable time. 

I want to especially impress the fact upon your mind that while Kansas had 
substantial prohibition for twenty-eight years it has had absolute prohibition 
only since May, 1909. Previous to this time liquor was allowed to be sold 
through licensed pharmacists, for medicinal, mechanical and scientific purposes. 
Abuse of this privilege led to dissatisfaction and the last legislature wiped out 
all exceptions and made the state absolutely "dry." Before they could sell 
intoxicating liquors these pharmacists had to obtain an internal revenue stamp 
and it is upon this circumstance in part that the agents and spokesmen of the 
breweries and the distilleries are trying to deceive you by showing the number 
of so-called licenses issued in Kansas last year. 

A further explanation of the number of licenses issued in Kansas is found 
in the method of handling violators of the Federal stamp law. When our state 
officers arrest a man' for selling liquor they notify the internal revenue officers, 
who come to him at once and collect a Federal license tax, often times finding 
the man in jail. This man is then quoted by the breweries, distilleries and sa- 
loon men of other- states as a saloonkeeper in Kansas, when in fact he is either 



in jail, paroled during good behavior, or under injunction never to again engage 
in liquor selling in our state. 

Under our state law the finding of a Federal license stamp in a place fitted 
up for the sale of intoxicating liquors is primae facie evidence of violation of 
the prohibitory law, and I challenge the brewers and distillers to show one in- 
ternal revenue liquor stamp posted in a saloon or joint in Kansas. 

While I am not an expert in the affairs of the local government of Chicago 
I venture the assertion that conditions which are due largely to the saloon and 
kindred evils of society constitute your most disturbing and distracting prob- 
lems. Usually cities having an ambition to solve such problems commission 
delegations of its wisest and best citizens to investigate the treatment of these 
problems by other communities. As chief executive of my state it would give 
me great pleasure to welcome delegations from Chicago to Kansas for the 
purpose of showing them the results of prohibition. We have had commis- 
sioners from Canada, New Zealand, England and Australia and even now the 
governments of Italy and Russia are investigating our methods of dealing with 
this evil, the greatest social and governmental problem on the face of the earth 
today. 

If wisdom should cause you to send such a delegation to Kansas I will 
guarantee they will not find a business man of standing in the state who will 
not testify that prohibition is the best business asset of Kansas. 

Prohibition must be judged by results — it must stand or fall upon its 
merits. The people of Kansas are very progressive, very positive and intensely 
practical in their ideas and habits. If the prohibitory law had not given us a 
better civilization and a higher type of manhood and womanhood it would have 
been repealed years ago. If it has increased drunkenness, crime and perjury, 
as saloon men claim it has done, the saloonkeepers would all be supporting the 
law instead of fighting it, for it would increase their revenue. 

This is .an age of conservation. Prohibiting the manufacture and sale of 
whiskey is more closely identified with a sound conservation policy than are the 
laws prohibiting the wanton destruction of the forests. 

You may think that Francis E. Willard and Gifford Pinchot were far apart 
in their line of effort, but they were not — both were protecting the natural re- 
sources of the American republic. 

"Woodman, spare that tree" is fine sentiment, indeed, but it is not finer 
than "Brewer, spare that youth." 

Half a century ago. slaves were worth $1,200 in this country. From a' 
purely economic point of view, and as a national resource, good, clean, healthy, 
well-educated American boys ought to be worth much more. If you will stop 
for a moment and think how many of them are annually ruined, and utterly 
destroyed by the saloon and its influences you will be so appalled that you must 
at least begin to appreciate the value of prohibition as an economic policy. 

If you think it is not a business question figure carefully on the annual 
revenue derived from your saloons and see how far it will go to meet your 
losses of boys alone through the criminal institutions which are fostered under 
the wing of the grog shop ; for I assert that the brewery, is originally, and the 
saloon is ultimately, the spawning place for the gambler, the prostitute, the 
robber, the wife-beater, and, finally, the murderer. The gambling house and 
the house of prostitution are so closely allied with the saloon that when the 
latter is compelled to move out of a community the others must go with it as 
they have done in our state. 

Prohibition in Kansas is not the result of atmospheric conditions. The 
climate had nothing to do with it. Reason was at the bottom of it all: It was 
not brought about by fanatics but by sane, sober, patriotic folks who had longer 
heads and more common sense than the average of the American people had at 
that time. 

It was not a new theory. It was as old as the abuse of liquor. Eleven 
hundred years before Christ an emperor of China decreed that all the grape 
vines be pulled up by the roots and burned to ashes. China has been a sober 
nation ever since. Centuries before Christ Lycurgus, the great law giver of his 
people, did precisely the same thing in Greece. The Carthaginians prohibited 
drinking in their army 300 years before the Christian era. Draco, in his laws, 
made drunkenness a capital offense. All through history you will find it and 
wherever it was observed the nations became greater and the people more 
virtuous. 

Prohibition is the doctrine of self-defense. 

Kansas is simply protecting its people from the arch enemy of human happi- 
ness. Kansas homes are protected from an infinitely worse enemy to society 



than the burglar. Prohibition has simply muzzled a brute that is ten thousand 
times more vicious than a mad dog. It has only established a quarantine 
against a plague more destructive than cholera. It has merely cut out a useless 
expense that was more burdensome on the people than all of the state and 
county taxes combined. 

There is nothing radical or unreasonable in helping a weak man to carry 
his week's wages home to his wife on Saturday night; there is nothing fanatical 
in enabling her to send her children to school with good clothes, good shoes and 
a good dinner in the little basket. 

Prohibition serves the child as well as the man. It is for the wife as well as 
the husband. It is for society as well as for the individual. It is for the gov- 
ernment as well as for the governed. In Kansas it pays the doctor his bills, 
the lawyer his fees, the pastor his salary. It helps the milkman, the farmer, the 
baker, the butcher, the grocer, the newsboy, the dentist, the book store, the 
photographer, the tailor, the dressmaker, the merchant and the manufacturer. 
This is why the people of our state are so thoroughly committed to its support. 
Opposition to it has practically ceased in every quarter. Every political party in 
the state has publicly declared for the strict enforcement of the law. 

But here in Chicago and throughout the United States the brewers, dis- 
tillers and saloonkeepers, their attorneys and retainers are telling in posters, 
pamphlets and speeches that prohibition increases crime in Kansas ; that it is 
making a large crop of perjurers and hypocrites; that it has ruined public 
credit ; caused intolerable taxation ; destroyed industries ; discouraged develop- 
ment; effeminated the people and reduced them to pauperism; upset social rela- 
tions, and so on throughout a long list of statements equally false and absurd. 

These charges are true or they are not true. They are based on facts or 
they are utterly without foundation. On my honor as a man and upon my word 
as the chief executive of nearly two million sovereign people I say to you they 
.are infamously conceived and maliciously false. The saloon men are in desper- 
ate straits and are simply trying to deceive people who are aroused by their 
crimes that the system may be kept up. The same devices were resorted to by 
the friends of slavery in this country but Illinois produced a citizen who 
brought out the truth and proved to the world that the country could get along 
better without the national curse of servitude. I want to tell you the truth 
about prohibition in Kansas : 

First — I assert that drunkenness in Kansas has been reduced to such a point 
that I have not seen a drunken man in the city of Topeka, a place of 50,000 
inhabitants, during the last twelve months; that I do not have any recollection 
of having seen a drunken man in my home city of Lawrence, a place of 15,000 
people, for several years ; that in making a campaign throughout the entire 
state and delivering public addresses in ninety-two counties I do not recall see- 
ing a drunken man during the year. 

So long as our sister state Missouri has saloons in St. Joseph and Kansas 
City right on our border there will probably be drunkenness in the cities im- 
mediately across the line with nothing but a street to mark the difference be- 
tween prohibition and open saloons, and so long as the federal government re- 
gards shipments of liquor as interstate commerce and permits wagon loads of 
beer to be peddled in the streets of Leavenworth, Kansas City, Atchison, Pitts- 
burg and other cities along our border line, there will be more or less drunken- 
ness in these cities. 

1 have here with me a number of letters and telegrams from mayors of 
cities, chiefs of police, judges of courts and others on the subject. 

Chief Hearn of Hutchinson, a city of sixteen thousand people says : "July, 
1908, 'drunks' 127; July, 1909, 'drunks' 16." 

James McLain, City Marshal of Winfield, says : "Since the policy of rigid 
enforcement of the prohibition law was begun in Winfield drunkenness has 
diminished 85 per cent and crime growing out of drunkenness has diminished in 
like ratio." 

The report of the Chief of Police of Pittsburg, near the Missouri border, 
shows a decrease in her monthly report of drunkenness from fifty-three in May, 
1908, to eleven in May, 1909. It went down to nine in June and to two in July. 
This is a city of more than 18,000 inhabitants. 

Second — I assert that in the 105 counties of Kansas that I do not know of 
a conviction for perjury growing out of the prohibitory law. 

George H. Barker, police judge at Holton, county seat of Jackson county, 
says there were forty-six "drunks" in his court during the entire year of 1907, 
only seventeen in 1908 and eight in 1909. 

L. J. Mosher, police judge of Hiawatha, county seat of Brown county, 



makes the remarkable report that he has not had a "drunk" in his court for 
eighteen months. 

I have these letters and you can see them. 

Third — I assert that the prohibitory law is now as easily enforced as any 
other law on the statute books. I have letters from twenty-nine of the thirty- 
eight district judges of the state. These letters are substantially of the same 
character and fully confirm my statements. I shall take the time to read only a 
few of them to you. 

El Dorado, Kan., March 22, 1910. 
Hon. W. R. Stubbs, Governor of Kansas, Topeka, Kan. 

Dear Governor: It is easier in my district to secure a conviction for the 
violation of the prohibitory law than for violations of the general criminal laws 
of the state. 

The people in my judicial district are in full sympathy with the prohibitory 
law and will not stand for its violation. 

I hardly ever find a juror who does not believe the law to be a success and 
who does not approve of it. With kindest regards, I am, 

Very truly yours, 

G. P. AIKMAN, 
Judge 13th Judicial District of Kansas. 



Ottawa, Kan., March 21, 1910. 
Governor W. R. Stubbs, Topeka, Kan. 

Dear Governor: Answering your favor of March 19th, touching the ques 
tion of the prosecution of persons in this judicial district charged with violating 
the prohibitory law, I have to say, that I believe a person charged with selling 
intoxicating liquor can be convicted on less evidence in this judicial district than 
could a person charged with violating other criminal statutes. This may, how- 
ever, be more apparent than real in that the persons charged with selling intoxi- 
cating liquor are usually men of low character, whose previous life has been 
such, and whose general appearance is such, that their testimony is discredited 
by a jury. A man in this district could no more openly engage in the sale of 
intoxicating liquor than he could in the business, of stealing horses. It may be 
that some liquor is being sold, but it is confined almost exclusively to the dregs 
of society, both black and white. If the question of returning to the saloon sys- 
tem were submitted to the people of this judicial district in my judgment it 
would be rejected by more than 90 per cent of the votes, and if submitted to 
the farmers and business men only, it would be defeated almost unanimously. 
The votes favoring ar return to the saloon system would be received, in my judg- 
ment, exclusively from the very lowest element in our population. 

Respectfully yours, 

C. A. SMART, 
fudge 4th Judicial District of Kansas. 



Paola, Kan., March 20, 1910. 
Hon. W. R. Stubbs, Topeka, Kan. 

My Dear Governor: In reply to your inquiry will say that it is not more 
difficult to obtain convictions for violations of the prohibitory law than for 
violations of the general criminal laws of the state. Since my incumbency in 
office there has not been a single failure to convict in a liquor case. Indeed, 
conviction appears so certain that a majority of those arrested for violations of 
the prohibitory law plead guilty without trial. 

Very truly yours, 

J. O. RANKIN, 
Judge 10th Judicial District of Kansas. 



Garden City, Kan., March 20, 1910. 
Hon. W. R. Stubbs, Topeka, Kan. 

My Dear Governor: In answer to your inquiry of the 19th inst., just re- 
ceived, it is a pleasure to say that convictions are less difficult in my district 
for violations of the prohibitory law than for the violation of any other criminal 
laws of the state. By a rigid enforcement of the law for many years, the 
former prejudice of the people against the law has completely changed to an 
extreme bias in its favor. When a jury is now impaneled to try one charged 
with the violation of this law, instead of a juror disqualifying, as he formerly 
did, because of his prejudice against the law, he now often disqualifies on ac- 
count of his frank admission of the extreme bias in its favor; and frequently 



care has to be taken on the part of the court in protecting the rights of a de- 
fendant to prevent a conviction without sufficient evidence to sustain it. A man 
could no more start a joint in Garden City, or any other southwestern Kansas 
town, than he could willfully touch a torch to one of our best buildings. No 
good citizen would stand for it, no matter what his views on the liquor question. 
The result is, instead of being what was formerly considered the most law- 
less section of the state, we have become the most law-abiding people on the 
face of the earth. This judicial district, consisting of the nine southwestern 
counties, embraces a territory equal in size to the entire state of Connecticut 
with little old Rhode Island thrown in, yet in most of the counties there has 
not been a criminal case on the dockets for over fifteen years, and in some of 
the counties there has not been a civil difficulty of sufficient importance to justify 
the calling of a jury for the same length of time. One or two days is sufficient 
time to transact the entire court business of a regular term in each of the five 
southwestern counties. The old argument that no one will settle in a prohibi- 
tion community, is answered by the fact that our population has more than 
doubled in the last four years, and instead of property decreasing in value, it 
has enhanced in value from ioo to 1,000 per cent. I know of no one in the poor- 
house, or in jail, in any of these nine counties; and our people are as healthy, 
happy and prosperous as can be found anywhere in the world, and may right- 
fully challenge comparison with any other similar territory with joints or open 
saloons. If there are any other facts in my possession which you desire, will be 
glad to furnish them. Very respectfully, 

WM. H. THOMPSON, 
Tudge 32nd Judicial District. 



Fourth — I assert that crime has decreased in Kansas under the influence of 
temperance legislation. I will show you by the records of our penitentiary that 
we had 724 convicts when the prohibitory law was passed, twenty-nine years 
ago; that notwithstanding a steadily increasing population the record shows 
that after two years of prohibition the number decreased to 668; that since that 
time the population has increased nearly 100 per cent while the number of con- 
victs has increased only seventeen per cent. And here let me add that we have 
no capital punishment in Kansas and hence prisoners for murder become 
permanent occupants of the penitentiary to be carried on the rolls. 

At the present time more than 50 per cent of our county jails are without a 
prisoner under conviction. Last year forty-nine of the 105 counties did not send 
a prisoner to the penitentiary. We have only one convicted prisoner in our 
county jails for 7,000 inhabitants — an almost unbelievable fact in criminal 
statistics. And the Attorney General estimates 75 per cent of these prisoners 
are in jail for the violation of the prohibitory law. Of the 860 convicts in our 
penitentiary only 143 are natives of Kansas. And it is a singular fact that 
while only 17 per cent of our prisoners are natives I have figures from the 
citizens at Joliet and Chester, Illinois, which show that 40 per cent of your 
convicts are natives of Illinois. We have no powerful saloon men in Kansas to 
use their pull in keeping the criminals they make out of the hands of the law. 

Fifth — I assert that the business of Kansas has made remarkable progress 
since the banishment of the saloon and adoption of prohibition. The records of 
the state bank commissioner and the comptroller of the federal treasury which 
I have with me, show that in ten years deposits in Kansas banks have increased 
from $69,0010,000 to $189,000,000 and during the past ten years under a more 
rigid enforcement of the law, bank deposits, per capita, have increased from $69 
to $113. Since complete prohibition became effective May, 1909, bank deposits 
have increased $11,000,000. 

Three years ago open saloons were abolished in Wichita. Since then the 
weekly clearances have increased from $1,400,000 to $3,200,000 last week. There 
were 1,800 new houses built in Wichita last year and I was told there the other 
day that there are now 800 new houses and $5,000,000 in public improvements 
in process of construction. According to latest estimates its population has in- 
creased in the past three years from 31,000 to 62,000 inhabitants. The story of the 
growth and prosperity of Wichita is the story of general business conditions 
in Kansas. 

In the chief city of the state, Kansas City, Kansas, the change from a "wet" 
to a "dry" policy worked wonders in business prosperity, diminution of crime 
and corresponding social progress. 

Some years ago Carrie Nation purchased and donated to the Associated 
Charities a home for drunkards' wives. During that era preceding the closing 
of the joints in that city this home was full to overflowing. Within about a year 




after the joints were closed there was not an inmate and it has now been con- 
verted into a school for girls. 

But let the Mayor of Kansas City tell his own story. In a telegram to me, 
in answer to my request, he says : 

Kansas City, Kan., March 22, 1910. 
Hon. W. R. Stubbs, Topeka, Kan. 

The prohibitory law is enforced in Kansas City, Kan., as well as any other 
criminal statute. In the last three years, since the saloons were closed, 2,464 
buildings have been erected in this city, exclusive of the recently acquired terri- 
tory which would greatly augment that number. Six hundred and twenty-five 
buildings were erected in 1909. The record for 1910 will exceed that of 1909. 
In one block on Minnesota avenue, our principal street, there are six business 
buildings in course of erection at this time. On this street rents have increased 
in the past three years more than 25 per cent. A leading grocer on 
Minnesota avenue will vacate his room where the landlord has secured a lease 
at a 50 per cent raise in rent. When the saloons were closed in 1906 the banks 
had on deposit approximately ten and one-half million dollars. At the close of 
1909 there was on deposit seventeen and one-fourth million dollars, indicating an 
increase in the three years of six and three-fourth million dollars. In 1906 the 
city had a population of 77,912; today it has an estimated population of 110,000. 
The city has been growing so rapidly that the board of education has hardly been 
able to keep up with the demands for additional school facilities. The assets 
of the board of education have increased from a 'valuation of seven hundred 
and six thousand dollars in 1906, to more than one and one-fourth million dol- 
lars at the present time. Since the liquor traffic was abolished in 1906 there has 
been spent four hundred and fifty thousand dollars for school buildings and ad- 
ditions. One mile of boulevard completed and three miles graded. Play 
grounds have been established in the last year. Two million dollars have been 
voted for municipal water works. Two hundred and ninety thousand dollars 
voted for new city hall, workhouse and three fire stations. One and one-fourth 
million dollars issued in bond to improve the Kaw river. ' Labor is employed 
more constantly than in 1906. It is obvious to all that laboring people instead 
of patronizing saloons, use -their money for the necessities of life, and retail 
merchants are doing a better cash business. This city has the largest number 
of home owners of any city of its size in America. The sentiment for law en- 
forcement is overwhelming No one has the temerity to advocate opening the 
saloons in this city. All legitimate business has increased since the saloons were 
closed. At present time there are new homes in course of construction in every 
part of the city. Crime has materially decreased. The number of murders dur- 
ing the saloon regime averaged something like fifteen, present about seven or 
eight annually. All reports indicating depression of business in this city caused 
by the suppression of the saloon business are false. For the first time in twenty 
years Kansas City, Kansas, has made no debt for current expenses, and that 
without any saloon revenue, I confidently assert that no city in America is 
more prosperous nor is any people more happy and contented than the people of 
Kansas City, Kansas. 

U. S. GUYER, Mayor. 



The story is the same everywhere. The song of prosperity, progress and 
contentment is universal in Kansas. Here is a statement from the Mayor of 
Topeka, a city of 50,000 population. 

Topeka, Kan., March 21, 1910. 
Hon. W. R. Stubbs, Governor. 

Dear Sir: The prohibitory laws are rigidly enforced in the capital city, and 
the result therefrom is very gratifying to all. It has lifted Topeka onto a higher 
plane, both morally and commercially. It goes without saying that to stop the 
sale of booze lessens crime, misery, and poverty. That fact is demonstrated 
very clearly in Topeka; business is better, retailers especially, are doing a larger 
and safer business ; the thousands of dollars that formerly went to the till of the 
jointist, now goes to the grocer, the clothier, and the shoeman. The same blow 
that killed Mr. Booze in Topeka also killed Mr. Gambling House, Mrs. Disorder- 
ly House, and all other co-operating cussedness. We have less crime, less court 
expense, and lower taxes — the levy for city purposes is onby $6.30 on one thous- 
and dollars. I venture the assumption that not a saloon town in the country, 
the size of Topeka, with all their booze blood money, can show as low a levy; 
and, we live within our means — our expenses are less than our income by thous- 
ands; we have everything that any first class city should have; every depart- 



ment is efficient, and no niggardly scrimping is observed to save money at the 
expense of good service. Real estate values are climbing the Golden Stairs, 
steadily and permanently; every section of the city that was blighted by the 
presence of Dens of Vice (the blight having been removed), are now respect- 
able, and much more valuable. Topeka has never witnessed such a building 
boom, both for homes and for business buildings, and we have fewer vacant 
houses. 

With our enforced prohibition, Topeka is a better city to live in, and to do 
business in. Respecfuly, 

WILLIAM GREEN, Mayor of Topeka. 



Sixth — Prohibition has worked wonders in the private credit of the state. 
Grocers and butchers tell me that men who were "dead-beats" under the drain 
of the saloons have become debtors of reliability and standing, and bad accounts 
are a rarity. Garnishment cases have practically disappeared from the courts. 

A striking instance of this fact is the experience of Kansas City, Kansas, 
where previous to the rigid enforcement of the prohibitory law there was a 
garnishment court running from morning 'till night levying upon the wages of 
the laboring men of that city. Within ninety days after the abolishment of the 
saloon this court went out of business and there never has been any need for it 
since. 

Seventh — I assert that the charge of higher public expenses, on account of 
prohibition is particularly untrue. A bulletin issued by the census department 
makes a really wonderful revelation in favor of prohibition. It shows that the 
general and special service expenses in Wichita are $8.21 per capita, in Spring- 
field, Illinois, $11.88 and in Chicago $15.66. The same bulletin shows the cost of 
the police department at Wichita to be 58 cents per capita, at Springfield $1.26 
and at Chicago $2.64. From another authoritative source I get it that the cost 
of the police and militia establishment in Kansas is only $402,000 annually while 
it is $4,790,000 in Illinois — twelve times heavier with only about four times as 
much population. 

Eighth — During the last decade the taxable property of the state has increas- 
ed $120,000,000 annually, aggregating an increase of $1,200,000,000 in ten years. 
Ten years ago our property was taxed on a 25 per cent basis amounting to 
$327,144,000, which indicated a total valuation of all taxable property to be 
$1,308,576,000. The total taxable property this year at from 75 to 90 per cent 
valuation amounts to $2,511,000,000. Kansas today stands second among the 
states of the Union in property per capita. The census will show that it stands 
first in home owning citizens. 

Ninth — The brewers are wasting their time — and their money too — in 
speeches and documents trying to arouse public sentiment with reference to 
pauperism in Kansas. Fifty-seven of the 105 counties of the state have no in- 
mates at their poor farms. Cook county alone, with all its palatial saloons and 
vibrating breweries, has a little over five times more paupers than we have in 
the entire state of Kansas. The good state of Illinois has just 100 per cent more 
papuers than Kansas, according to population. And I venture to say that Illinois 
would have still more were it not for the temperance progress she has made dur- 
ing the past few years. I have heard a great many mean things said against pro- 
hibition but I have never before heard the charge that it causes pauperism. 

Tenth — I assert that Kansas is more free from mental and nervous diseases 
than any other "state in the Union and that authenticated scientific facts will 
prove that our temperance policy for thirty years is largely responsible for this 
condition. Kansas has fifty-four counties without an idiot. It has eighty-seven 
counties without an insane inmate. Cook county alone sends more of her peo- 
ple to insane hospitals at Dunning than Kansas has in all her charitable institutions 
of every sort, including blind, deaf, the dumb, insane, inebriates, feeble-minded, 
incorrigibles and orphans. With twenty per cent of the population of New 
York, Kansas has less than 10 per cent of its insanity. The brewers go so far 
as to say that temperance increases divorces in Kansas although we have made 
it plain to them several times that the first few years of prohibition in Kansas 
showed a 45 per cent decrease in divorce cases. Their logic seems to be 
that a man must get drunk and beat his wife in order to intensify her love for 
him. Ninety-six counties in the state have not a single inebriate. Six of the 
nine counties furnishing inebriates last year were, strikingly enough, counties 
bordering on the "wet" section of Missouri. 

Eleventh — I assert that prohibition is the best friend of education and that 
wherever temperance is observed the school shows its highest and best devel- 
opment. We have in our permanent school fund the sum of $10,000,000 draw- 



ing interest. With this we buy the municipal bonds of our own state, deeming 
them the best security. The annual interest on these bonds is enough to pay the 
present entire state debt. We have recently established normal courses in ioo 
of the 105 counties. During the last nine years the enrollment of the State 
University has risen from 1,150 to 2,063; the normal from 1,630 to 2,860, and the 
Agricultural College from 870 to 2,192. Besides that, 9,000 young men and wo- 
men are attending denominational institutions and 4,548 attending business 
colleges. In all, 21,000 young men and women are attending colleges within the 
state. The value of public school property has advanced from $10,000,000 to 
$16,000,000. As a part of our educational system we have nearly 700 news- 
papers and magazines and I am told that 98 per cent of them will not publish the 
advertisements of a brewery or a liquor house. During the first twenty years of 
prohibition illiteracy was reduced 49 per cent. It is more than 40 per cent lower 
than Illinois and the next census reports will give the state first place in educa- 
tion. The youth of Kansas has his eye fixed far above the horizon of the saloon. 

Twelfth — I assert that the death rate in Kansas is lower than that of any 
other state or nation on earth and that our condition in this respect is due largely 
to our temperance policy. The annual death rate in the state is only seven and 
one-half to every 1,000 inhabitants. This is so low that the government of the 
United States still refuses to believe in its accuracy, although it has been thor- 
oughly investigated and reverified. I have a letter from the secretary of our 
Board of Health which will show you how prohibition is prolonging life and 
building up vigorous health conditions in Kansas. It will show you that with 
every advance made in temperance original cases of tuberculosis decrease ma- 
terially. Dr. Crumbine tells me that ten years of our present temperance 
conditions and careful enforcement of sanitary regulations will eliminate entirely 
native cases of consumption. 

I have probably 200 letters, telegrams and statements from official sources in 
Kansas dealing with this subject, but it is obvious I cannot read them all to you. 
I have, however, prepared copies of these letters and statements for the newspa- 
pers and persons interested, so that the facts can be fully verified by statistics 
or by personal investigation of the conditions as they exist in our state. 

These simply increase the preponderate mass of evidence that prohibitory 
liquor legislation is safe and sane. Supported by this evidence I challenge de- 
fenders of the saloon to show twenty-five cities in any commonwealth of the 
Union where the per cent of home owners is greater and the per cent of renters 
smaller, where commercial and financial business is more prosperous, where resi- 
dence and business property alike are in better demand, where real estate values 
have increased more rapidly, where greater progress has been made in public 
improvements, where men, Women and children are better educated, better man- 
nered, better clothed and better fed than in the twenty-five largest cities in Kan- 
sas. If they cannot do this their arguments in defense of the saloon from an 
economic standpoint must forever be discredited in the minds of thinking men. 
Their house is builded upon the sand. 

Before leaving home I received some letters from prominent men who have 
seen the operation of the prohibitory law since its inception. As some of them 
have a national reputation as supports and advocates of the highest standards in 
progressive, Christian government I will read them to you. 

Chief Justice W. A. Johnston of our Supreme Court says: 
Topeka, Kan., March 24, 1910. 
Hon. W. R. Stubbs, Topeka, Kan. 

Dear Governor: In response to your inquiry I will say that judging from the 
litigation before our court the prohibitory law was enforced at first with some 
difficulty. Public opinion and greater experience, however, appears to have 
overcome that difficulty and the law, although transgressed occasionally, is now 
effectually enforced and with no more opposition or difficulty than other laws 
prohibiting and punishing ordinary offenses. The closing of the saloons and 
joints has had an excellent effect upon the morals and material interests of the 
people of the state. Among the consequences of prohibition are better homes, 
happier families, higher standards of intelligence and education, and of course, 
a great reduction in crime. No statement or proof is needed to support the 
claim that these results follow the closing of saloons and the effective enforce- 
ment of the prohibitory law. They are the natural and inevitable results and 
these have been realized in Kansas. Yours very truly, 

W. A. JOHNSTON, 
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Kansas. 



Rev. Charles M. Sheldon of Topeka, author of that remarkable book, "In 
His Steps," says: 

Topeka, Kan., March 17, 1910. 
Governor W. R. Stubbs, Topeka, Kan. 

My Dear Friend : I have no statistics on the prohibition question which are 
as strong and recent as those you have already, but here is an incident which 
you may use to point the fact of Topeka's condition under the law. 

Last year a man came to Topeka all the way from London to escape tempta- 
tion because he had heard of prohibition Kansas. After living here six months 
he told me he had never been in a city of this size where liquor was so hard to 
get, and where the general surroundings were so favorable from a social point of 
view to help him overcome the habit of drink. This man was a world traveler 
and had used every known remedy to cure himself of dipsomania. I think, 
myself, that this item comes under the head of "vital statistics." It is one of 
the sort that does not "lie." Very truly yours, 

CHARLES M. SHELDON, 
Of the Central Church, Topeka. 



The brilliant William Allen White, author of "A Certain Rich Man," says : 

Emporia, Kan., October 22, 1909. 
My Dear Sir : I have your very kind letter of the first asking me something 
about prohibition in Kansas. I. have grown from childhood to the age of forty- 
two years in Kansas and I probably am greatly prejudiced in its favor. As a 
young man from the time I was sixteen years old until I was twenty-two, I never 
saw an open saloon. I know of thousands of children in the state who never saw 
a saloon. The law was adopted in 1881 and has been enforced ever since. Of course, 
it is enforced better now than it ever was before because a generation has grown 
up under the law that knows nothing else. The state never was as clean as 
it is today. The liquor law is enforced as well as the law against horse stealing, 
which does not mean that there are not more or less thieves in the jails for 
horse stealing and that there are not more or less men in the jails for selling 
liquor. These laws are violated and will be violated until the end of time. If 
there were no violations of the law, the law would not be needed. It happens 
just now that during the month of August our jails are empty. There is not 
an able bodied man or woman in the poor house. We have never had any trouble 
at all to keep our town and county and state going. The town of Emporia is 
being paved from one end to the other with brick and asphalt without a dollar's 
worth of liquor money in it. The revenues of Kansas for nearly thirty 
years have been raised without liquor licenses and we have built the best sys- 
tem of schools in the world. Taxes are low because the average working man 
owns his own home and thus the taxes are spread out upon thousands of work- 
ing people who are thrifty, honest and hard working rather than upon hundreds 
of landlords who are taxed to maintain the criminal costs in the courts. The 
average district court criminal docket of Lyon county is five or six cases. And it 
costs no more to enforce the prohibitory law than it does any other law on the 
statute books. The taxes last year were as follows : 

County tax 3.5 mills 

City tax 6.48 mills 

School tax 5. mills 

14.98 mills 
There were 100 cases in city police court from January 1 to September 1. Of 
these seventeen were for drunkenness and two for bootlegging. The rest were 
for crap shooting, violating gas fitters' ordinance, nineteen were for throwing 
manure in alleys and other minor charges. I trust that I have answered your 
questions and if there is anything further, that I can say, kindly let me know. 

Truly and sincerely yours, 

W. A. WHITE. 

Chancellor Strong, of the State University, telegraphed as follows : 

Lawrence, Kan., March 25, 1910. 
Hon. W. R. Stubbs, Governor State of Kansas, Topeka, Kan., 

My experience as head of the University of Kansas and extensive travels 
over the state make me confident that beyond any question whatever the pro- 
hibitory law is well enforced in the state of Kansas. 

That it greatly simplifies the disciplinary difficulties in education, distinctly 
raises the educational standard of the communities and of the higher schools, 
and increases the number who find it possible to achieve higher education. That 

II 



it increases to a remarkably degree the efficiency of the state as a whole in wealth 
production. That it is a tremendous factor in the reduction of crime, drunken- 
ness and poverty and that the general effect upon the well-being of the state in 
every respect is' incalculable. FRANK STRONG, Chancellor. 



Hon. F. D. Coburn, secretary of the State Board of Agriculture, says : 

"Prohibition was never before so popular in Kansas as now, after a thirty 
years' trial. Its effects upon all phases of society's welfare have been helpfully 
wholesome, and the aforetime noisy threats of resubmission are no longer 
heard, even in whispers. 

"Prohibition is in the very air ; its invincible hosts, on the way, are being 
augmented by reinforcements at every cross roads. Ably led, the forces of re- 
bellion made a long and stubborn resistance to our National authority, but their 
banners trailed in defeat at Appomattox before the blue-coated legions of Grant. 
The forces behind the saloons are in rebellion against society and morality, and 
are facing their Appomattox, for which Chicago may be but another name." 

But putting aside all argument concerning the financial, material and econ- 
omic side of this question, there yet remains the moral and religious side of the 
problem which I conceded at the outset of my remarks to be the strongest 
and most weighty argument in favor of prohibition. If George Washington was 
right in assuming that the foundation of our Republic is based on the morality 
and religious principles of our citizenship, then the suppression of the liquor 
traffic becomes at once the gravest and most serious problem of our nation. The 
following quotation from the Father of his country ought to be read and re-read 
by every man, woman and child in America : 

"Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, re- 
ligion and moralitty are indispensible supports. In vain would that man claim 
the tribute of patriotism who should labor to subvert these great pillars of 
human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of men and citizens. Let it 
simply be asked where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the 
sense of religious obligation desert the oaths which are the instruments of in- 
vestigation in courts of justice; and let us with caution indulge the supposition 
that morality can be maintained without religion. Reason and experience both 
forbid us to expect that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious 
princii>les." 

No American statesman of good character and national reputation will dare 
predict that this nation or any free government can long endure after the spirit 
of morality and religion ceases to be the controlling influence in our national life, 
and no man of reputation and character can successfully dispute the fact that the 
saloon and its accessories — the gambling house, the house of ill-fame and the 
professional criminal are the most destructive enemies of morality and religion. 

"Righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people," was a 
favorite quotation of the greatest president that has served a term in the White 
House since the days of Lincoln and no respectable citizen will deny the sin, 
shame and disgrace of the liquor traffic; neither will any man dare to deny that 
it is the most demoralizing, degrading, debauching influence in our social life. 

President Lincoln is quoted as saying on April 14, 1865, the morning before 
his assassination: 

"After reconstruction the next greatest question will be the overthrow of 
the liquOr traffic." 

And at Springfield in 1853 : 

"The most effectual remedy would be the passage of a law altogether abolish- 
ing the liquor traffic. There must be no more attempts to regulate the cancer, it 
must be eradicated." 

In summing up this question each one for himself must determine whether 
he is in favor of protecting the home life, the children, the moral and religious 
sentiment of the community and support the policies advocated by Washington, 
Lincoln and Roosevelt which form the only safe and sure foundation of our 
republic, or, whether he will ally himself with the men engaged in a business 
that, like a great cencer, is eating into the vitals of our nation corrupting city 
councils, bribing legislatures and congress, benumbing the moral sense of men, 
debauching the purity of women, robbing hundreds of thousands of children of 
their God-given right to be reared under conditions that are calculated to pro- 
duce good men and women, of healthy, wholesome, moral character and physi- 
cal strength ; and causing many times over as much sin and shame and crime 
as all other evils in our land. The war is here; the battle is on; you cannot 
escape taking sides; it is impossible to support the church, the Sabbath school, 

12 






the home and the best moral and religious sentiment of your community and at 
the same time vote for saloons, gambling dens and houses of prostitution. 

This struggle is not confined to Chicago, it is world-wide. Will you stand 
for your country and the institutions that make it the greatest government the 
world has ever known, or will you stand with the brewer, the distiller and the 
saloonkeeper and their vile and disreputable allies, the gambling house and the 
infamous dens of shame, which are the haunts of the assassin, the burglar and 
the professional criminal generally. Does the patriotism of Washington, Lincoln 
and Roosevelt appeal to you, or will you accept the cunningly devised, misleading, 
statements of the saloon forces which are intended to appeal to your prejudices, 
your selfishness and the worst passions in the human heart? 

TESTIMONY OF KANSAS POLICE JUDGES. 

On March 19, 1910, Governor Stubbs Wrote as Follows to Police Judges in 

Various Parts of the State 



STATE OF KANSAS. 

W. R. STUBBS, Governor. 

Topeka, March 10, 1910. 
Police Judge, Independence, Kan. 

Dear Sir : Will you kindly inform me by return mail if convictions are 
more difficult in your court for violations of the prohibitory law than for vio- 
lations of the general criminal laws of the state? 

Thanking you in advance for this information, I am, 

Yours very respectfully, 

W. R. STUBBS. 



KANSAS CITY. 

The governor's letter brought the following responses : 

Kansas City, Kansas, March 20, 1910. 
W. R. Stubbs, Governor of Kansas, Topeka, Kan. 

Dear Governor: Your favor of the 19th inst. as to convictions in the po- 
lice court, requesting an answer by return mail, came by special delivery to my 
residence at nine o'clock a. m. today. I am now at my office writing this letter 
at 9 130 o'clock a. m. No, convictions for violations of the prohibitory liquor 
laws of Kansas are not more difficult in the police court than convictions for 
the violation of any other criminal ordinance. The nature of the offense makes 
no difference. All that I as judge of that court require is that the offense be 
proven as required by criminal procedure. 

Yours very respectfully, 

JOHN F. SIMS, Police Judge. 



HOLTON. 

Holton, Kan., March 21, 1910. 
Hon. W. R. Stubbs, Governor. 

Dear Sir : Your favor of the 19th inst. directed to "Police Judge" is referred 
to me to answer. Convictions are on more difficult in our court for violation 
of the prohibitory law than for the violations of the general criminal laws of 

the state. 

I think you might wish to know something of the workings of this law. 
The police record of our city shows the following: 

1007— Arrests for drunkenness, 46; arrests for selling, 3; two convicted. 
1908 — Arrests for drunkenness, 17; arrests for selling, 3; convicted 3. 
1909 — Arrests for drunkenness, 8; arrests for selling none. 

Very respectfully, 
GEO. H, BARKER, Justice of Peace. 
Acting Police Judge of the City of Holton, Kan. 



FORT SCOTT. 

Fort Scott, Kan., March 21, 1910. 
Governor W. R. Stubbs, Topeka, Kan. 

Dear Sir : Your letter of the 19th inst. received. In reply will say we have 
no more trouble in whiskey cases than in other violations of any of the crim- 
inal laws of the state of Kansas. 

We have a population of nearly 20,000 people. We used to have eighteen 
saloons in our city, not one now in the city or county. 

The -beneficent influence of having done away with saloons is so apparent 

13 



and satisfactory if the question were submitted to a vote of our people there 
could not be found 200 people voting for the return of the saloons. 

Yours truly, 
J. D. HILL, Police Judge. 

CONCORDIA. 

Concordia, Kan., March 20, 1910. 
Hon. W. R. Stubbs, Governor. 

Dear Sir: In answer to your inquiry, I will say that convictions in this 
police court for violations of the prohibitory law, have not been any more diffi- 
cult than for offenses against the general criminal laws of the state. Of course, 
you understand we do not try state cases in our police court, but we have had 
a good many liquor cases for violating the city ordinance and in conducting 
the defense it has always been with the intention of appealing to the district 
court in case of conviction, defendant never introducing any testimony. 

Our experience is that by trying liquor cases in the police court it has proven 
to be a quick way to get them into the district court. 

Yours truly, 
J. D. SEXSMITH, Police Judge. 



ATCHISON. 

Atchison, Kan., March 20, 1910. 
Governor W. R. Stubbs, Topeka, Kan. 

Dear Governor : In reply to your letter relative to convictions of violators 
of the prohibitory law in the police court of this city, will say that in most cases 
the chief of police, after collecting evidence against alleged violators, turns the 
same over to the county attorney. Several bootleggers have been convicted in 
the police court, but in the majority of liquor prosecutions I believe that the 
best and most effective results can be secured through the district court. The 
cases tried before my court resulted in convictions without the least trouble, be- 
cause the police had conclusive evidence before warrants were issued. In reply 
to your question as to whether it has been more difficult to convict violators of 
the prohibitory law than for violations of the general criminal laws, will say 
that convictions of bootleggers are as easily secured as in any other crime. Atch- 
ison, at this time, is the dryest ever. I think that Mayor Allaman's reply to 
your message one day this week covered the ground in good shape. No one 
felt disposed to take exceptions to the mayor's reply, at least, and some of his 
answers to your queries were appalling to many who had never studied the sit- 
uation from the viewpoint o'f "Before and after taking." 

Now, dear governor, please don't ask us any more questions about the en- 
forcement of the prohibitory law, because we're all good and happy. I hope 
that my letter furnishes the information you desire. 

I beg to remain, 

FOREST WARREN, Police Judge. 



SALINA. 

Salina, Kan., March 21, 1910. 
W. R. Stubbs, Governor, Topeka, Kan. 

Dear Sir: Referring to your letter of the 19th inst., will say: 

That so far as my court is concerned, convictions under the prohibitory law 
are no more difficult than under other criminal laws. 

At one time it was more difficult to get evidence is such cases, but in a case 
before the court, last fall, a witness clearly committed perjury, which was made 
apparent by the testimony of other witnesses in the case, I, myself drew a com- 
plaint against him for perjury, the city marshal swore to it, our very efficient 
county attorney prosecuted the case and in about two months the defendant was 
landed in the penitentiary, since which time witnesses in that class of cases, so 
far as I know, tell the truth. 

The greatest drawback in the strict enforcement is the delay following the 
appeals to the district court, a number of which were allowed to pass over the 
last term and have not been tried during the present term of court, which has 
been adjourned to May 23 next, and until a new judge goes into office. 

With the future enforcement of the law in this country, a great responsibil- 
ity will rest upon you, give us a district judge who believes in official integrity, 
whether he be a prohibitionist or anti-prohibitionist. Republican or Democrat, 
who will not be controlled by the attorneys who defend in that class of cases, 



but will support the legitimate action of the city government, and the boot- 
leggers will be driven to the brush- 
Public sentiment in favor of the enforcement of that law is stronger in this 
county today than at any time since the law was passed and the law is more 
strictly enforced than it ever has been before. I am, 

Very truly yours, 

D. R. WAGSTAFF, Police Judge. 



NEWTON. 

Newton, Kan., March 20, 1910. 
Hon. W. R. Stubbs, Topeka, Kan. 

Dear Sir: The ordinances of this city do not give me any jurisdiction in 
cases of violation of the prohibitory law. All such cases coming to the knowl- 
edge of the city police are immediately referred to the county attorney, W. H. 
Vonder Heiden. Very respectfully yours, 

H. C. GLENDENING, Police Judge. 



JUNCTION CITY. 

Junction City, Kan., March 21, 1910. 
W. R Stubbs, Governor, Topeka, Kan. 

Dear Sir: Your favor of March 19 at hand and noted. In reply will say 
that convictions for the violation of the prohibitory law are no more difficult 
than for the violations of the general criminal laws of the state in this court. I 
am, sir, Yours very respectfully, 

J. I. KERR, Police Judge. 



WICHITA. 

Wichita, Kan., March 21, 1910. 
Hon. W. R. Stubbs, Topeka, Kansas. 

Dear Sir: In reply to your letter of March 19, as to convictions in my 
court for violations of the prohibitory law as compared to convictions for viola- 
tions of other criminal ordiances, I will say that in a general way convictions 
for that class of offenses are no more difficult than convictions are in other 
cases. Since I have been police judge, that is, since April 13, 1909, I have been 
convicting parties charged with selling intoxicating liquors upon the absolute 
testimony of the party who purchased the liquor, and upon production of the 
liquor purchased. In practically all the cases for maintaining a nuisance we 
have had a supply of liquor seized on the premises. From April 13, 1909, to 
December 31, 1909, no persons were convicted in my court either of selling in- 
toxicating liquors or maintaining a nuisance. Out of these twenty-two were 
prosecuted and convicted upon the evidence furnished by the State Temperance 
Union and its agents. Prior to December, when these prosecutions were insti- 
tuted under the auspices of the Temperance Union people my sentences were 
invariably $500 and six months in jail. Many of the defendants were compelled 
to, and did serve long jail sentences, while quite a number were paroled upon the 
payment of $200 in money and the signing of a parole blank by which they 
agreed to stay out of the liquor business for one year, and for the violation of 
which condition they were to be recommitted to jail. I found it necessary to 
recommit some seven or eight parties. In all since April 13, 1909, I think there 
have been less than ten acquittals; and these for the reason that the evidence 
furnished was insufficient. In most of these prosecutions the police officers and 
the State Temperance Union people were very careful to get absolute proof be- 
fore an arrest was made, and I think that the large number of convictions was 
due to that fact. We collected something over $5,000 from fines and forfeitures 
from violators of the liquor ordinances up to December 31. 

Twenty-one of the cases brought by the State Temperance Union people 
were appealed to the district court of Sedgwick county, where the ordinance 
was declared invalid and the defendants discharged. However, they were im- 
mediately rearrested upon state warrants. The city commissioners passed a 
new liquor ordinance in January of this year, but we have had no prosecutions 
under it. 

If there is anything upon which you desire information that I have not 
covered in this letter, I shall be glad to furnish it to you. 

Very truly yours, 

JESSE D. WALL, Police Judge. 

IS 



DODGE CITY. 

Dodge City, Kan., March 21, 1910. 
W, R. Stubbs, Governor, Topeka, Kan. 

Dear Sir: Have your communication of recent date addressed to the 
police judge of Dodge City. 

If affords me pleasure to inform you that during my term in this office of 
five years, have in no case found that there was any greater difficulty in con- 
victions under the prohibitory law than under other criminal laws. 

Have found in one or two cases that persons holding government license 
have been led to believe that they were immune from prosecution under state 
laws because they held the same; this impression was no doubt caused by inter- 
nal revenue officers visiting them during their incarceration and prevailing upon 
them to take out the license or become entangled with the federal government ; 
persons under the circumstances were only too glad to secure the license, think- 
ing that if they had the federal government's permission to sell, the state gov- 
ernment could not prohibit them from making the sales. 
Yours truly, 
RICHARD W. EVANS, Jr., Police Judge Dodge City, Kan. 






MANHATTAN. 

Manhattan, Kan., March 21, 1910. 
Hon. W. R. Stubbs, Governor, Topeka, Kan. 

Dear Sir : in reply to yours of March 19, 1910, will say that so far I have 
had no trouble to convict cases for violation of the prohibitory law. Manhattan 
is comparatively free from such violators of this law. 
Yours respectfully, 

THOS. HUNTER, Police Judge. 



COLUMBUS. 

Columbus, Kan., March 21, 1910. 
Governor W. R. Stubbs, Topeka, Kansas. 

Dear Sir: Replying to your favor of the 19th inst, inquiring "If convic- 
tions are more difficult in your court for violations of the prohibitory law than 
for violations of the general criminal laws of the state?" will say NO. 

Yours very respectfully, 

B. B. ALFRED, Police Judge. 



HUTCHINSON. 

Hutchinson, Kan., March 21, 1910. 
W. R. Stubbs, Governor, Topeka, Kan. 

Dear Sir : In answer to yours of the 19th day of March, 1910 : In my court 
I do not have general, but limited, jurisdiction, as provided by ordinance. Under 
the prohibitory law it is more difficult to get witnesses to testify against a 
bootlegger than in any other case. Cause : Witnesses who buy are fearful that 
it they testify their supply will be cut off; hence, they, as a rule, are know- 
nothings. Bootleggers are all that we have, and but few of them. 

Yours truly, 
R. A. CAMPBELL Police Judge. 



LEAVENWORTH. 

Hon. W. R. Stubbs, Governor State of Kansas, Topeka, Kan. 

Dear Sir: In your letter of March 19th, just received, you ask the fol- 
lowing question : 

"Will you kindly inform me, by return mail, if convictions are more difficult 
in your court for violations of the prohibitory law than for violations of the 
general criminal laws of the state?" 

To this question I would answer "Yes," and the reason is this: It is very 
rare that any one outside of the police will consent to give evidence, in court, 
against a person charged with maintaining a nuisance under Ordinance 2800 of 
this city, being commonly called the prohibitory liquor ordinance. 

To illustrate, sometime ago a man by the name of John Foley was arrested 
for maintaining a nuisance at No. 700 Cherokee street. Before the case was 
tried the matter was investigated and the names of a number of outside wit- 
nesses were given the city attorney. These persons were subpoenaed. It was 
a well-known fact that these witnesses were men whom the police termed as 
"hangers-on" at Foley's place. Deeming it advisable our city attorney asked, 
before the trial began, that these witnesses be excluded from the court room 

16 



during the taking of testimony. I made an order to that effect. The witnesses 
were sent from the court room and to a place where they could not hear what 
the witness on the stand was testifying to. In spite of the very rigid examina- 
tion by the city attorney none of them would testify that they had bought liquor 
from Foley or any one in his employ. One of the witnesses, after being thor- 
oughly sweated by the attorney, admitted that he had bought some two per cent 
from Foley. In addition to this a revenue stamp was offered, showing that a 
man by the name of "Munroe Bishop" had taken out a stamp for that place. 
Munroe Bishop was not within the jurisdiction of the court at the time of trial 
and could not be subpoenaed, but the evidence developed the fact that he was 
boarding with a man named Ehart at the time Ehart was running the hotel. 
Ehart sold out to Foley, and the record in the revenue office failed to disclose 
any stamp in the name of Foley — thus, it was evident that Foley was doing 
business under the stamp (if he was doing business at all.) When the officers 
searched the place Foley had a bottle of whiskey on his person, if my memory 
serves me correctly. 

Thus no license was introduced showing that Foley had obtained it. The 
two per cent was not shown to have been intoxicating liquor. No one testified 
to having bought beer or whiskey. Yet I convicted the defendant and fined 
him $200 and sentenced him to serve sixty days in the county jail. He appealed 
his case to the district court, where he will get a trial by jury. The question 
naturally arises will a jury convict him on such testimony? If not, the costs 
of the trial will be assessed against the city. 

The police seem to do everything possible to get the evidence of disinter- 
ested witnesses who will testify to having bought liquor, but their efforts are 
seldom, if ever, rewarded. 

In other criminal cases — such as assault and battery, disturbing the peace 
and the like — usually the one assaulted, files and swears to the complaint and 
furnishes his witnesses. The same pertains to disturbing the peace. If the 
interested parties don't proceed the police make the arrest, being eye-witnesses 
themselves, and thus there is no difficulty in such cases as last referred to.' 
The men engaged in the liquor traffic are discreet — they will have a "watch-out" 
for the police and resort to other means to conceal their transgressions of the 
law and make conviction difficult. 

We are doing our utmost to suppress the violation of this prohibitory law 
and I will aid the police department in every way, consistent with my duty as 
police judge. I never hesitate to convict where the evidence shows a violation 
of this or any other ordinance. 

Yours very truly, 

L. HOFFMAN, Police Judge. 



OTTAWA. 

Ottawa, Kan., March 20, 1910 
Hon. W. R. Stubbs, Topeka, Kansas. 

Dear Sir: In reply to your letter of the 19th inst, which is herewith en- 
closed, I will say that it is more difficult to get witnesses to testify against 
violators of the prohibitory law than it is in the case of other misdemeanors. 

I am glad to say, however, that drunkenness and crimes growing out of 
the use of intoxicants are less frequent. A large majority of our people are in 
favor of the strict enforcement of the law. 

Ottawa was prohibition before the state was. Our jail is empty as part of 
the result. 

Very respectfully yours, 

J. P. KERR. 



CHANUTE. 

Chanute, Kan., March 20, 1910. 
Hon. W. R. Stubbs, Topeka, Kansas. 

My Dear Governor Stubbs : In reply to your letter of the 19th inst, will 
say that convictions in my court are more difficult for violations of the prohib- 
itory law than for violations of the general criminal laws of the state. 

Very trulv yours, 
W. M. WILFONG, Police Judge. 

17 



LAWRENCE. 

Lawrence, Kan., March 20, 1910. 
Hon. W. R. Stubbs. 

Dear Governor : In reply to your question, if convictions are more difficult 
to obtain for violations of the prohibitory la\v than for violations of the general 
criminal laws of the state, will say that as judge of police court I apply the 
rules of law and evidence as provided by our state's law and city ordinance. I 
give the defendant the benefit of any doubt in liquor cases the same as any 
other prosecution. In my seven years' experience as police judge I have found 
that as a rule the patrons of joints and bootleggers are those to whom liquor is 
king. The penalty for handling liquor for sale is so severe and public opinion 
here is so strong against the person caught with the goods, that men with self- 
respect don't as a rule engage in the business. The class of citizens handling 
the goods, therefore, being the lowest class morally; their customers, as a rule, 
are of the same general character. That being the case it is hard for a prose- 
cuting officer to get evidence. I should therefore say that convictions are not 
more difficult to obtain for violators of the prohibitory law than any other law, 
for courts as a rule respect their oaths of office. Owing to the fact that men 
with respect for themselves and the law, who patronize joints and bootleggers 
are hard to find, it is difficult for prosecuting officers to get evidence. 

Respectfully yours, 
L. H. MENGER. 

GARDEN CITY. 

Garden City, Kan., March 21, 1910. 
Governor W. R. Stubbs, Topeka, Kan. 

Dear Sir : Owing to the difficulty in getting men to tell the truth it is some- 
times hard to get a verdict on the evidence. Men who want their drams want 
them worse than they want to be known as honest men. Notwithstanding this, 
however, we get one occasionally who tells the truth and conviction follows. 
Yours respectfully, 
ABNER HADLEY, Police Judge, Garden City, Kan. 

HIAWATHA. 

Hiawatha, Kan., March 21, 1910. 
Governor W. R. Stubbs, Topeka, Kan. 

Dear Sir: We have not had a case for violation of the prohibitory law in 
our police court, or a justice court in this city for eighteen months. I do not 
think it any harder to convict for bootlegging or whiskey selling in this town 
than for any other crime. We look after our own liquor cases, the county at- 
torney living in Horton and coming here only when court is in session. 

Respectfully, 
L. J. MOSHER, Police Judge. 

INDEPENDENCE. 

Independence, Kan., March 21, 1910. 
Dear Governor : In twenty-three cases in this court for violations of the 
prohibitory law, we have had twenty convictions. 
Respectfully, 

T. J. McKIBBEN, Police Judge. 

PITTSBURG. 

Pittsburg, Kan., March 21, 1910. 
W. R. Stubbs, Governor, Topeka, Kan. 

Dear Sir: Convictions in this court for violations of the prohibitory law 
will run about the same proportion as convictions for other offenses. 

Respectfully, 

ROBERT MATSON, Police Judge. 

EMPORIA. 

Emporia, Kan., March 21, 1910. 
W. R. Stubbs, Governor, Topeka, Kan. 

Dear Governor: In some fifteen or sixteen complaints for unlawfully sell- 
ing liquor since I have been police judge, three years, convictions were had in 
all. It is not more difficult in our court to secure convictions for violations of 
prohibitory law than of other laws. Yours truly, 

W. W. PARKER, Police Judge. 

18 






BELOIT. 

Beloit, Kansas, March 22, 1910. 
Governor W. R. Stubbs, Topeka, Kan. 

Dear Sir : On my return home I find a letter from you awaiting me. The 
contents are noted. I have to say that convictions are no more difficult in my 
court for violations of the prohibitory law than for violations of the general 
criminal laws of the state. 

By the way, our county attorney makes it very unpleasant for boozers that 
drop down in our city occasionally. 

Yours with great respect, 

E. R. BONNIFIELD, Police Judge. 

TESTIMONY OF KANSAS DISTRICT JUDGES. 
The Letter addressed to Police Court Judges Was Duplicated to the Dis- 
trict Court Judges of the State and Practically All 
of Them Responded as Follows. 



JUDGE SWARTS. 

Winfield, Kan., March 21, 1910. 
Governor W. R. Stubbs, Topeka, Kan. 

Dear Sir : _ In response to your inquiry of the 19th permit me to say : In 
my judgment it is not now nor has been for many years last past any more 
difficult in this, the 19th Judicial District, to secure convictions for violations 
of the liquor laws of this state than for violations of other criminal laws. 
Juries are and have been for many years perfectly willing, where the evidence 
warrants, to convict upon charges of violation of the prohibitory law, and the 
fact that the charge is of such a character makes and has made no difference 
whatever. I am, Very respectfully, 

C. L. SWARTS. 



JUDGE CANNON. 

Mound City, Kan., March 21, 1910. 
Governor W. R. Stubbs, Topeka, Kan. 

Dear Governor: In answer to your question, "if convictions are more 
difficult in this district for violations of the prohibitory law than for violations 
of the general criminal laws of the state," will say that they are not. The 
people of this district are for the enforcement of all laws. The city of Fort 
Scott, with a population of 16,000, which is in my district, has the "lid" on good 
and tight. Yours truly, 

JOHN C. CANNON, Judge Sixth Judicial District. 



JUDGE JACKSON. 

Atchison, Kan., March 21, 1910. 
Hon. W. R. Stubbs, Governor of Kan., Topeka, Kan. 

Dear Sir : Answering your inquiry of the 19th inst, beg leave to say that 
we have had in this district during the last eight years only two criminal prose- 
cutions for violation of the prohibitory law ; one trial before Judge Hudson^ my 
predecessor, and a jury resulted in an acquittal, and one trial before a jury 
during my term resulted in failure of the jury to agree and the case is still 
pending. Probably the reason for so few criminal prosecutions is that the state 
and county attorneys have preferred to rely principally upon injunction process 
and contempt proceedings thereunder, of which cases there have been a great 
many during the past two or three years. Hoping the above information will 
answer your purpose and that if it fails therein you will not hesitate to call 
upon me for any additional you may desire, I am, Verv truly yours, 

W. A. JACKSON, District Judge. 



JUDGE MECKEL. 

Emporia, Kan., March 21, 1910. 
Governor W. R. Stubbs, Topeka, Kan. 

Dear Sir: Your letter addressed to me at Cottonwood Falls was received 
by me this morning here; in answer to your, inquiry would say that_ is my 
experience that it is no more difficult to secure convictions for violations of 
the prohibitory liquor law than of any other law. Yours truly, 

F A. MECKEL. 

19 



JUDGE FOUST. 

Iola, Kan., March 21, 1910. 
Hon. W. R. Stubbs, Governor of Kan., Topeka, Kan. 

My Dear Governor: Your favor of the 19th inst., received in due course 
of mail, and noted, replying to question propounded by you, to-wit : 

"Will you kindly inform me by return mail if convictions are more difficult 
in your district for violations of the prohibitory law than for violations of the 
general criminal laws of the state?" 

Beg to say, they are not. I observe no difficulty whatever in juries convict- 
ing persons charged with such offenses when there is reasonable testimony ad- 
duced on trial of causes, not the least disposition to shirk such duty is mani- 
fested. I beg to remain, as ever, Yours very truly, 

OSCAR FOUST. 



JUDGE DILL. 

Leavenworth, Kan., March 21, 1910. 
Governor W. R. Stubbs, Topeka, Kan. 

Dear Sir: In answer to yours of the 19th inst., just received, asking "if 
convictions are more difficult in your district for violations of the prohibitory 
law than for violations of the general criminal laws of the state," I beg to say 
that the most of the prohibitory cases in my court have been of the injunction 
kind, where no jury is required. A few jury cases in appeals from the city 
police court involving the prohibitory ordinance of the city have been tried in 
the district court and in them the ratio of convictions has been about the same 
as in other criminal cases. 

As yet no state case involving the interposition of a jury, charging the un- 
lawful sale of intoxicating liquors, has been presented to the court for trial by 
a jury by either the prosecuting attorney or the attorney general. Hence I am 
without the necessary data or experience to answer satisfactorily your inquiry. 
From the results in the few city cases tried it might be fairly inferred that 
convictions by juries in state cases, where t'he proofs are sufficient to justify a 
verdict of guilty, can be had without difficulty. 

Yours very respectfully, 

W. DILL, Judge First Judicial District. 



JUDGE REES. 
5 Minneapolis, Kan., March 23, 1910. 

Governor W. R. Stubbs, Topeka, Kansas. 

My Dear Governor: Your letter of the 19th arrived during my absence 
and I hasten to answer at once. Convictions are no more difficult for the viola- 
tions of the prohibitory law than for the violations of other criminal laws of 
the state. This, however, was not the case as late as four years ago in Saline 
and Ellsworth counties of my district. In these counties it seemed possible for 
a long time to secure enough jurors in many of the panels to hang the jury. 
Within the last two years the law enforcement sentiment has thoroughly per- 
meated the whole body of the people and where the evidence is reasonably clear 
there is no difficulty about securing convictions. The same sentiment has pro- 
duced a profound change in the character of the evidence, we now seldom hear 
the evasive answers that one time stultified our legal proceedings. Regretting 
the delay occasioned by my absence, I am, Very sincerelv yours, 

R. R. REES. 



JUDGE WHITELAW. 

Kansas City, Kan., March 21, 1910. 
Hon. W. R. Stubbs, Governor, Topeka, Kansas. 

My Dear Sir: Your inquiry as to my opinion of the difficulties of convic- 
tion under the prohibitory law compared with such difficulties under the general 
criminal law of the state, was received this morning, and I take great pleasure in 
answering, as it seems to me, my observations have not been made as a judic'al 
officer, however, as the court over which I was elected to preside in the fall of 
1908, was "knocked out," by the supreme court. 

For many years m Kansas, it was a very difficult matter to convict a per- 
son charged with a violation of the prohibitory law, even under the most d ; rect 
and positive proof. I think this was due to the fact that public sentiment was 
opposed to the law as interfering with personal liberty. Now, in my judgment, 
that is all changed, and the people of the state of Kansas are, by a very large 



majority, in favor of the prohibitory law, and its faithful enforcement; this 
condition and my observation as a practitioner, lea.d me to believe that con- 
victions are not more difficult for violation of the prohibitory law, than for vio- 
lation of the general criminal laws of the state. I don't believe the Kansas juror 
will do violence to his conscience, to protect one charged with any sort of crime, 
if the proof is sufficient for conviction. Very sincerely yours, 

W. M. WHITELAW. 



JUDGE HEIZER. 

Osage City, Kan., March 21, 1910. 
Hon. W. R. Stubbs, Topeka, Kansas. 

Dear Governor: I am in receipt of yours of the 19th asking if convictions 
are more difficult in this district for violations of the prohibitory law than for 
violations of the general criminal laws of the state. I do not think there now 
exists any more difficulty in securing a conviction in a liquor case than that of 
any other under the statute. There was a time in the history of the liquor law 
when this could not be fairly said, but as far as this district is concerned that 
condition has passed away. Yours very truly, 

ROBERT C. HEIZER. 



JUDGE LOBDELL. 

Larned, Kan., March 19, 1910. 
Governor W. R. Stubbs, Topeka, Kan. 

Dear Governor: Replying to your favor of this date would say that in" 
nearly nine years of judicial service I have seen but one acquittal in a liquor 
,case when in my judgment there should have been a conviction. I am, how- 
ever, inclined to think that there is a wide difference in communities in this 
matter and that there are two counties in my district in which the average juror 
would require more positive proof in a liquor case than in other criminal cases 
of equal magnitude. Respectfully yours, 

CHAS. E. LOBDELL. 



JUDGE FLANNELLY. 

Independence, Kan., March 20, 1910. 
Dear Governor : Replying to your query, would say that it is' no more difficult 
to secure a conviction for violation of the prohibitory law than any other law 
in this district. Jurors in this district upon sufficient evidence will convict in a 
liquor case just as promptly and readily as in any other criminal case. 

Respectfully yours, 

THOS. J. FLANNELLY. 



JUDGE DILLON. 

Belleville, Kan., March 20, 1910. 
Governor W. R. Stubbs, Topeka, Kan. 

Dear Governor: Judge Dillon, who is quite sick, instructs me to say in 
reply to your inquiry of the 19th, that it is no more difficult to convict for the 
violation of the prohibitory law than it is for the violation of any other criminal 
law, in this district. Yours very truly, 

W. T. PERRY. 



JUDGE RAINES. 

Oskoloosa, Kan., March 20, 1910. 
Hon. W. R. Stubbs, Topeka, Kansas. 

Dear Governor: In answer to your letter of March 19, inst., will say that 
convictions in this district for violations of the prohibitory law are no more 
difficult than convictions for the violations of the general criminal laws of the 
state. In fact the sentiment for law enforcement in this district is such that 
no difficulty is experienced in procuring convictions of violators of the prohib- 
itory law. Respectfully, 

OSCAR RAINES. 



JUDGE RUPPENTHAL. 

Russell, Kan., March 20, 1910. 
Hon. W. R. Stubbs, Governor, Topeka, Kan. 

Dear Governor: Your letter of 19th just at hand asking whether con- 



victions in this judicial district are more difficult for violations of the prohibit- 
ory law than for violations of the other criminal laws of the state. As you 
desire immediate reply, I cannot take time to go over my private docket of all 
cases tried by me to see what the proportions are in the various classes of 
cases. But my opinion is that a larger proportion of liquor prosecutions have 
resulted in convictions than of the remaining criminal cases of all kinds. One 
class of cases that has uniformly failed is the prosecution of city officials for 
neglect to inform the county attorneys of violations of the liquor laws. But 
though such cases have failed they awakened a wholesome respect on part of 
possible delinquents on this line. Where county attorneys regularly and con- 
sistently prosecute liquor offenders, just like other law-breakers, upon reasonable 
evidence, convictions are as likely to be secured in the former cases as in the 
latter. I have very rarely seen an acquittal in a liquor case where the evidence 
was strong enough to have assured conviction in any other case. The greatest 
danger of non-conviction of the guilty is where prosecutions are so rare, and so 
tardily begun, that a feeling of doubt exists whether the prohibitory law is to 
be accounted as part of the crimes act. There is no permanent condition of 
affairs like this in my district if anywhere in Kansas. Jurors upon examination 
on their voir dire in liquor cases usually answer (and apparently with sincerity 
and truth) that they will try such cases like other criminal cases even where 
such jurors admit a disbelief in the principle of prohibition. 

Very truly, 

J. C. RUPPENTHAL. 



JUDGE PICKLER. 

Dear Governor: In reply to the inquiry of your excellency of the ipth 
inst, I most unhesitatingly say that the prohibitory liquor law is no more diffi- 
cult of enforcement than any other criminal statute of the state so far as this 
district is concerned. Very respectfully, 

R. M. PICKLER, Judge Fifteenth District. 



JUDGE KIMBLE. 

Manhattan, Kan., March 21, 1910. 
Dear Governor : I answer No, where the county attorneys act in good faith 
toward the law and prosecute with same vigor as other offenses. In this district 
the law is fairly well enforced. Yours truly, 

SAM KIMBLE. 



JUDGE WILSON. 

Wichita, Kan., March 21, 1910. 
Governor W. R. Stubbs, Topeka, Kan. 

My Dear Sir: Yours of the 19th received yesterday morning. Convictions 
are not more difficult in this district for violations of the prohibitory law than 
for violations of the other criminal laws of the state. This was not always so, 
but it is easily within the truth at the present time. 

Very truly yours, 

THOS. C. WILSON. 



JUDGE CLARK. 

Oswego, Kan., March 21, 1910. 
Hon. W. R. Stubbs, Governor, Topeka, Kan. 

My Dear Governor: I am in receipt of your letter of inquiry concerning 
convictions for violations of the prohibitory law in Labette county, and in ans- 
wer thereto would say: During the first year of my judgeship in this district 
I met with considerable difficulty in enforcing this law, many of my well mean- 
ing friends, politically and otherwise, advised me that I was making a mistake 
in enforcing this law, and that it would not only make it impossible for me to 
be elected the following election, but would also ruin my party in this county, 
if I persisted in its enforcement. The law was enforced, however, and after one 
year of strict enforcement, I became a candidate before the people for election 
and strange as it may seem, I had no opponent in my own party at the primaries, 
nor had I any opposition from the other party at the polls, and now there is 
no more difficulty in securing a conviction of a person charged with unlawfully 
selling intoxicating liquors, than upon any other charge, why even men who 
were formerly known as drinking men, now go upon juries and without the least 
hesitation return verdicts of guilty, where the facts warrant it, just as in other 



cases. We are experiencing no difficulty whatever in the enforcement of this 
law in good old Labette county. And of course it necessarily follows that many 
children who went poorly clad, only half fed, and with no books to attend school 
are now well fed, well clad and attending school every day. 

Respectfully, 

ELMER C. CLARK. 



JUDGE SMITH. 

Kansas City, Kan., March 22, 1910. 
Hon. W. R. Stubbs, Governor of the State, Topeka, Kan. 

Dear Sir: Replying to your favor of the 19th inst, wherein you inquire 
whether convictions are more difficult in cases brought in my court for vio- 
lations of the prohibitory law, I have to say; that during my term of office 
there have been no prosecutions for open violation of the prohibitory law for 
the reason that all places wherein liquor has been kept for sale and sold in the 
past have been closed and the sale of liquor abated, so that the only prosecutions 
which now come before the courts are in the nature of injunctions to restrain 
the owners of property from permitting a nuisance to be maintained upon the 
premises by the sale of liquor in the manner commonly known as "bootlegging." 
Trusting this will give you the information desired, I beg to remain, 

Very respectfully, 

H. J. SMITH. 

JUDGE SMITH. 

Stockton, Kan., March 20, 1910. 
Hon. W. R. Stubbs, Topeka, Kansas. 

My Dear Governor : Yours of yesterday asking if "convictions are more 
difficult in this district in violations ci the prohibitory law than for violations 
of the general criminal laws" received and noted. Replying I will say, No, we 
have got beyond that point. This was the case in the early history of the en- 
forcement of the law, and in some of the counties for a time, but now the 
evidence that will convict of any other misdemeanor will of a violation of this 
law. I think it is as easy to enforce the prohibitory liquor law in this district 
as it is any other law against crime. Very truly yours, 

C. W. SMITH. 



JUDGE FINLEY. 

Chanute, Kan., March 21, 1910. 
Hon. W. R. Stubbs, Topeka, Kan. 

My Dear Governor: Your letter of March 19th, inquiring whether or not 
convictions are more difficult in my district for violations of the prohibitory 
law than for violations of the general criminal laws of the state, was received 
last evening. It is my experience and opinion that convictions for violations of 
the prohibitory law are not more difficult to secure in this judicial district than 
convictions for the violation of the criminal laws generally. The people of this 
district are, I think, in as hearty sympathy with strict observation of the prohib- 
itory law as are the people in any section of the state. I may further say that 
my experience and observation is that detection is much more difficult than 
conviction. I am, Very truly yours, 

JAMES W. FINLEY. 



JUDGE FULLER. 

Pittsburg, Kan., March 21, 1910. 
Hon. W. R. Stubbs, Topeka, Kan. 

My Dear Governor : Replying to your favor of the 19th inst., I will say 
that at this time it is no more difficult to convict for violation of the prohibitory 
law than for the violation of any of the criminal laws of the state in my dis- 
trict. Formerly this was not the case, but for the last two or three years there 
has been no difficulty in selecting juries that would convict in cases involving 
the violation of the prohibitory law. 

Yours truly, 
ARTHUR FULLER, District Judge. 



JUDGE DANA. 

Topeka, Kan., March 21, 1910. 
Hon. W. R. Stubbs, Topeka, Kan. 

My Dear Governor: In reply to your inquiry if convictions for violations 

23 



of the prohibitory law in my district are more difficult than under the criminal 
laws generally, beg to state that in my opinion they are not, and that generally 
we have little difficulty in convicting when we have the evidence. 

Yours very truly, ■ ■ ■ 

A. W. DANA. • 



judge McNeill. 

Columbus, Kan., March 22, 1910. 
Hon. W. R. Stubbs, Topeka, Kan. 

Dear Governor : Your favor of the 19th inst, came while I was in Clinton 
county, 111., on business and having just now returned, I hasten to answer the 
same. Owing to the large foreign element in this county and the peculiar con- 
ditions existing in our mining district, convictions under the prohibitory liquor 
law are more difficult than in the average community. It would be idle to con- 
tend otherwise but the law is exceedingly well enforced in this county, consider- 
ing all conditions. The open saloon has been driven out and an occasional dog- 
gerel springs up, but the officers soon nab it, but it is sometimes difficult to 
make a conviction because these low dives are of such low character that the 
people who frequent them will not testify to the truth. As above stated, con- 
ditions on the whole in this county with reference to the enforcement of the prcn 
hibitory liquor law are first class, far better than they have been for years and 
years. Any information I can give you further, will be gladly given. 

Yours truly,. 

c. a. McNeill. 



JUDGE PRATT. 

Atwood, Kan., March 21, 1910. 
Hon. W. R. Stubbs, State House, Topeka, Kan. 

Dear Governor: Replying to your favor of the 19th inst., will say that in 
the trials of cases for the violation of the prohibitory law in this district where 
the evidence is sufficient, there has been no difficulty in securing convictions. 
In some of the cases quite a number of the jurymen were foreign born, and 
because of this fears were entertained by the prosecuting attorney that the 
jury would hang, yet convictions were secured the same as in other cases where 
no foreigners were on the jury. In short, convictions occur in this class of 
cases as easily as in other criminal actions. I see no difference. In this district 
the prohibitory law is well respected and very few violations occur, and these 
are committed secretly and in out-of-the-way places. Since the people have 
experienced and enjoyed the benefits and improvements in society, brought 
about by reason of enforcement of the law, it has caused a wonderful change 
in sentiment in favor of the law. It is safe to say that at least 85 per 
cent are in favor of the law and its enforcement. I am, yours truly, 

W. H. PRATT, Judge Seventeenth Judicial District. 



JUDGE FISHER. 

Kansas City, Kan., March 21, 1910. 
Dear Governor : I haven't tried any, but past experiences in this county 
would indicate that they are. Respectfully, 

E. D. FISHER. 



JUDGE KING. 

Marvin, Kan., March 21, 1910. - 
Dear Governor : In reply to the above question will say it is not. The 
sentiment is so general in support of the prohibitory law and its enforcement, 
that there is no distinction or difference between it and other criminal laws in 
securing convictions for its violation. Yours truly, 

R. L. KING. 



FROM THE MAYORS OF VARIOUS CITIES. 

The Following Telegram Was Sent on March 16 to the Mayors of the 
Larger Cities. 



"Wire me tonight, collect, if prohibitory laws are enforced strictly in your 
city. If so what is the effect on population, business, bank deposits, property 

24 



values, rents, crime and drunkenness? What proportion of your people favor 
the enforcement of the prohibitory law? Answer fully, 

"W. R. STUBBS, Governor." 
■ The responses are as follows: 

MAYOR MARTIN. 

Hutchinson, Kan., March 21, 1910. 
Governor W. R. Stubbs, Topeka, Kan. 

Prohibitory laws are rigidly enforced. Majority in favor so overwhelming, 
no opposition. Gratifying increase in population, business and all property values. 
Splendid spirit of good feeling among all classes and extensive public improve- 
ments being made. This city is practically free from the criminal element, 
drunkenness and crime. Bank deposits heaviest in city's history. All lines of 
business prosperous and the laboring people employed. 

F. L. MARTIN, Mayor. 



MAYOR BLAKE. 

Columbus, Kan., March 21, 1910. 
Hon. W. R. Stubbs, Governor of Kansas, Topeka, Kan. 

This is a strictly prohibition little city. Has been for the last twenty 
years. Our city is prosperous as the volume of business done will show. We 
would not have saloons or intoxicants sold here even if every city in Kansas 
permitted it. Even men who drink, that live here, would not vote saloons in our 
city. Our taxes are as reasonable as one desires. 

G. R. BLAKE. 



MAYOR ALLAMAN. 

Atchison, Kan., March 17, 1910. 
W. R. Stubbs, Governor, Topeka, Kan. 

Prohibitory law strictly enforced, thirty-eight saloons of two years ago gone. 
All buildings filled at higher rents. Population increasing. Property values 
higher. City employes' salaries increased 12 per cent. Bank deposits in two 
years increased 39 per cent, robberies and other crimes decreased 75 per cent, 
drunks arrested decreased 50 per cent. More public improvements and private 
buildings contracted for this year than any year under saloons. Merchants trust 
hundreds of laborers that they would not under saloons. More money goes for 
food, not booze. Seventy-five per cent or more are favorable to "dry" town ; 
"city treasury in good condition. 

DR. G. W. ALLAMAN, Mayor. 



MAYOR BISHOP. 

Lawrence, Kan., March 18, 1910. 
W. R. Stubbs, Governor, Topeka, Kan. 

In answer to your message I would say: The prohibitory law is strictly en- 
forced in Lawrence. Police department instructed to enforce law without fear 
of punishment or hope of reward. This department followed my instructions. 
Population rapidly increasing. This census will show Lawrence to be a city of 
first-class. Business never better. It is a hard matter to find an idle man in this 
city. Laborers are prosperous, their children go to school, well dressed, and 
their wives are happy. During the past year property all over the city has in- 
creased in value 25 per cent. Rents are good. With scarcely an empty 
house, either residence or business in the entire city. The criminal docket is 
50 per cent less than formerly and you hardly ever see a drunken man on the 
street. Ninety-five per cent favor the strict enforcement of the prohibitory law 
in this city. In conclusion would say that Lawrence. was never in any more 
prosperous condition than she is today. Her people are happy and industrious, 
her financial condition is good. Public improvement is going on at a tremendous 
pace and her improvement bonds are now selling at home and abroad at 1% per 
cent premium. S. D. BISHOP, Mayor. 



MAYOR DAVIDSON 

Wichita, Kan., March 16, 1910. 
W. R. Stubbs, Topeka, Kan. 

Prohibitory laws are strictly enforced in Wichita. Liquor sold only by 
bootleggers and under federal protection. Business was never better than under 
present system. Bank deposits have increased. Population has increased 25 
per cent in the last year. Wichita has the smallest per capita police force of 

25 



any city in the United States, showing a large decrease in crime. Rents have 
advanced and as a result there is no demand or sentiment for old conditions. 

C. L. DAVIDSON, Mayor. 



MAYOR ABERNATHY. 

Leavenworth, Kan., March 16, 1910. 
W. R. Stubbs, Governor, Topeka, Kan. 

Prohibitory law is more rigidly enforced in Leavenworth now than ever 
before in its history. Some bootlegging and pocket traffic is carried on, but 
gradually being driven out. Crime is much reduced, although drunkenness has 
not greatly decreased due to our proximity to Kansas City where the soldiers 
go for liquor. Leavenworth's population has increased according to census re- 
ports over three thousand in past two years. And records show that real estate 
values are considerably enhanced, and past two years transfers have been best 
in city's history. From officers of the various banks, I learn that deposits from 
business and individuals have increased over half million during past eighteen 
months. The increase is especially noted in the savings department, indicating 
that the laboring man is saving his money instead of spending it for drink. The 
merchants here, almost without exception, report the best two years of business 
ever experienced. The efforts of enforcement of prohibitory law here have 
been very beneficial to this city and the movement is growing in favor rapidly. 
I will venture to say that fully 75 per cent of population favor its enforcement. 

OMAR ABERNATHY, Mayor. 



MAYOR HOYT. 

Pittsburg, Kan., March 16, 1910. 
Governor W. R. Stubbs, Topeka, Kan. 

Prohibitory law well enforced. Business good. Bank deposits higher than 
ever before in history of the city. Crime and drunkenness decreased. Property 
values and rents little lower than before the panic. Good safe majority of our 
population in favor of law enforcement. 

E. B. HOYT, Mayor. 



MAYOR SLATER. 

Governor W. R. Stubbs, Topeka, Kan. 

Ottawa, Kan., March 22, 1910. 
I have your wire asking for information in regard to the enforcement of 
the prohibitory laws in our city. We certainly are much pleased with the condi- 
tions as they exist at the present time. Upwards of 85 per cent of our entire 
population are strictly in favor of enforcing the laws. It is a great benefit to 
the city from every standpoint. I talked with some of our business men today 
who were very much opposed to the prohibitory laws at the time they were first 
proposed in Kansas. They tell me they would not under any circumstances be 
willing to go back to saloons. We have a fine city and are proud of the same. 
We have a new industry here, the Batelle car works, and men are coming here 
to seek employment and a great many of them are men that have been in cities 
where they have seen open saloons and are coming here for the reason that there 
are not saloons and it is making them better citizens. They are saving money 
and some are buying homes on the installment plan who never before tried to 
save money. Our business houses are occupied and are at a premium, rents have 
advanced, 150 new homes are being built this year and every line of business is 
prosperous. Crime has constantly decreased since the enforcement of the pro- 
hibitory laws and in fact a great deal of the time we practically have no use for 
jails. City improvements are in progress and we are going to put down_ three 
miles of paving this year and build a new city hall. All manner of public im- 
provements are under progress. In conclusion will say we have one of the best, 
cleanest and most up-to-date cities in Kansas, and would invite and solicit your 
inspection of the same. If you want a good place to live, if you want a good 
city either /for business or residence, come to Ottawa. 

A. H. SLATER, Mayor. 



MAYOR ROBERTS. 

Garden City, Kan., March 22, 1910. 
Hon. W. R. Stubbs, Governor of Kansas, Topeka, Kan. 

Replying to yours of the 19th relative to the liquor business in our city will 
say that there is not a saloon or joint in the city and has not been for twenty- 
five years. That there is not a business house vacant in the town and we are 

26 



compelled to build. Real estate is higher than ever before and our streets are 
well lighted. Little or no drunkenness on our streets and our taxes are not 
burdensome. Our city never collected one dollar of taxes from a saloon or 
joint-keeper during all its history. 

ZEPH ROBERTS, Acting Mayor. 



MAYOR ABBOTT. 

Chanute, Kan., March 22, 1910. 
W. R. Stubbs, Topeka, Kan. 

The prohibitory law is well enforced in this city. Our business in all lines 
is prosperous. To see a drunken man on our streets is rare. Our city has 
invested about $100,000 each year for several years past in paving streets, 
building sewers, extending our water works system. Our factories are behind 
in their orders for our products. No empty business houses. Our people are 
busy, sober and enterprising. Nobody desires open saloons, they are discredited 
relics of a by-gone age. Respectfully, 

F. M. ABBOTT, Mayor. 



MAYOR MUENZENMAYER. 

Junction City, Kan., March 22, 1910. 
W. R. Stubbs, Topeka, Kan. 

Prohibitory law is being enforced without marked increase in taxes. Busi- 
ness is better, real estate higher, more improvements made, the city in better 
shape financially, less poor to be taken care of, criminal court business nearly 
wiped out. No murder in three years. Formerly common affair, we are on a 
higher plane. W. F. MUENZENMAYER, Mayor. 



MAYOR KENNETT. 

Concordia, Kan., March 22, 1910. 
Hon. W. R. Stubbs, Governor, Topeka, Kan. 

Prohibition has increased business. It has almost entirely eliminated drunk- 
enness and greatly reduced crime. Not one-tenth being sold that was under 
non-enforcement. Liquor now carried in valises formerly came by car loads, 
taxation no greater; business houses all occupied and greatest cause of turmoil 
and quarrels removed. HOMER KENNETT, Mayor. 



MAYOR WALLACE. 

Winfield, Kan., March 22, 1910. 
Hon. Gov. W. R. Stubbs, Topeka, Kan. 

In reply to your telegram will state that I believe that there is less liquor 
sold in Winfield than there has been at any time in my knowledge of the town, 
which has been about thirty-two years. We have an occasional bootlegger that 
will sell bottles of liquor from his pocket, but the first man that gets drunk 
gives him away and causes his arrest. In that way we eliminate the bootlegger. 
Joints are things of past in our city. As to vacant property we have none, on 
other hand we have erected about seventy-five residences each year for past two 
years. Property values have increased at least one-third and rentals at least one- 
fourth. Bank deposits past two years have increased thirty-three and one-third 
per cent. Laboring men are all employed and invest their money in necessaries 
of life and purchase homes for themselves and betterment of their families. At 
least 90 per cent of our people favor prohibition laws in state, in fact you can 
hardly find anyone that would want to go back to the old system. 

CHAS. M. WALLACE, Mayor. 



MAYOR KIRTLAND. 

Salina, Kan., March 22, 1910. 
W. R. Stubbs, Topeka, Kan. 

For several years after prohibition amendment was adopted Salina collected 
fines from joints. Quite a revenue was derived, but it was all expended in court 
costs and care of criminals and destitute poor, made so from the effect of the 
liquor traffic. No relief for the tax payer was had under this system. Every 
municipal election was fought on the issue of "wet" or "dry" and no thought 
was given to the business interests of the city. This plan has been abandoned. 
No man can now be elected to office who is known to be in sympathy with the 
liquor business. The results are very gratifying. We have time to give attention 
to the business interests of the city. It is very rare a drunken man can be seen 
on our streets. The laborers are buying and building homes and Saturday 

27 



nights the streets are crowded with them and their families enjoying the benefits 
of an industrious life. Public improvements are going forward as never before. 
No empty rooms or buildings in the city. Building permits this month aggre- 
gate $80,000. Over two million dollars on deposit in our banks and the town 
full of boys grown to manhood who have never seen an open saloon. I look for 
national prohibition within ten years time. 

C. B. KIRTLAND, Mayor. 



MAYOR HUNTER. 

Wellington, Kan., March 22, 1910. 
Hon. W. R. Stubbs, Topeka, Kan. 

Wellington has not had an open saloon for twenty-five years, nor an open 
joint for ten years. There has been more material prosperity and a greater in- 
crease in population than ever before in the history of the city. No decent 
citizen, no person worth having as a citizen, would permit a saloon or joint to 
run or even open in their city. GEO. H. HUNTER. 



MAYOR MOSES. 

Independence, Kan., March 22, 1910. 
Governor Stubbs, Topeka, Kan. 

This is one of the cities of Kansas that strictly enforces the prohibitory 
law of the state. We have no empty store rooms. No empty houses. Real 
estate has not decreased in value. Taxes are not burdensome. Crimes and mis- 
demeanors are scarce and all conditions are better because of said enforcement. 

F. C. MOSES, Mayor. 



MAYOR WAITE. 

Parsons, Kan., March 22, 1910. 
Governor W. R. Stubbs, Topeka, Kan. 

Since prohibition our arrests for crime have been reduced over 50 per 
cent. Decrease in the sale of liquor has been over 75 per cent. No increase 
in taxes. No vacant business houses in our city. Real estate has doubled in the 
past four years. J. L. WAITE, Mayor. 



MAYOR MITCHELL. 

Beloit, Kan., March 21, 1910. 
Hon. W. R. Stubbs, Topeka, Kan. 

My Dear Governor: Answering your letter of the 19th inst, as to the 
charges made by the liquor and brewery interests in the Chicago fight for pro- 
hibition, in which they charge that prohibition in Kansas has worked great 
havoc with our business and caused more drunkenness and crime, than prevailed 
under the open saloon. 

You say they charge also that more liquor is being sold in Kansas than ever 
before ; that it makes taxation burdensome ; that our business houses are vacant, 
and that it has reduced the value of real estate all over the state. 

Now so far as Beloit, and Mitchell county are concerned these charges are 
not true, but on the other hand are absolutely false. Since I was elected mayor 
of Beloit nine years ago, there has not been an open saloon in our town. The 
wholesale liquor dealers and brewers of Kansas City and St. Joseph, Mo., by 
their Richard Roe & John Doe C. O. D. Express Co., shipments made us lots of 
trouble, but they can't do it any more, under the present law. Now and then 
a bootlegger causes us some trouble yet, but we get him first or last, and he 
dont bootleg any more. Now for the truth of their charges. Nobody's business 
has been wrecked or gone to havoc except it be the saloon man. There are no 
vacant business houses in our town, but we are building many new and larger 
ones today. Real estate has more than thribbled in value in the last six years, 
both in the city, and the country surrounding it, our banks are full to over- 
flowing with the people's money. Drunkenness is almost unknown in our city, 
the man now to get drunk must go to Kansas City, or St. Joseph, Mo., or send 
his money there and have it shipped to him here and that's most too much trouble 
for so little gain. Our city taxes may be a trifle higher since we quit licensing 
the saloons, but nobody complains, our people prefer prohibition as we now have 
it today, no matter how high you put the license. 

Yours very truly, 

W. M. MITCHELL, Mayor, 

28 






MAYOR GRIMES. 

Hiawatha, Kan., March 21, 1910. 
W. R. Subbs, Governor, Topeka, Kan. 

Dear Sir: We have not had any saloons in Hiawatha for thirty-five years 
and would not have them under any conditions. Our tax is as low as any other 
state with saloons; our side walks are better than in many other cities; our 
homes are better kept than in many cities and all without the saloon license, very 
little bootlegging and what there is, is very soon picked up and punished. We 
have not one business house empty, everything full and all doing well and not 
any empty resident houses, and not any poor from the saloon business, as we 
have the best fed and housed and clothed people in any state, where they have 
the rum trade ; we have better schools and churches and society than any country 
where they have saloons, and property is not running down in price, but on the 
boom, city property is high and farms close in sell very high; one sold last 
month for $350 per acre, not very well improved. That does not look as if 
things were running down very fast and I know by talking with our people that 
90 per cent are solid for prohibition. 

Yours very respectfully, 

J. T. GRIMES, Mayor. 

MAYOR BROOKS. 

Fort Scott, Kan., March 22, 1910. 
Governor W. R. Stubbs, Topeka, Kan. 

Every business house occupied by from ten to fifteen saloons under non- 
enforcement of the prohibitory law now occupied by legitimate mercantile 
business; new business houses built and none vacant. Rents have advanced ma- 
terially. Public expense of sustaining poor families reduced one-fourth or more. 
Percentage of crimes reduced materially and cost of policing city diminished 
proportionately. My judgment is the people of Fort Scott would vote three 
to one against opening saloons here after being without them and their revenue 
three years. W. E. BROOKS, Mayor. 



MAYOR McCAIN. 

Emporia, Kan., March 17, I'^io. 
W. R. Stubbs, Governor State of Kansas, Topeka, Kan. 

Dear Sir: Replying to your message of March nth, 1910, will say that the 
City of Emporia is in better shape at present than it has ever been. About 100 
houses were built last season and practically there are no vacant houses in town 
at present, rents are as high as they have ever been, and when residence property 
changes hands it brings nearer what it cost to build than it ever has. There is 
very little crime and almost no drunkenness. We do not pick up a drunk once a 
month. The bank deposits are at a very high state, and the people are generally 
prosperous. I believe that 90 per cent of the people favor prohibition and its 
enforcement. Yours truly, 

FRANK McCAIN, Mayor. 



FROM POLICE CHIEFS AND CITY MARSHALS 

Answering Requests From Governor Stubbs on the Condition of Law En- 
forcement the Following Letters Were Received From 
Chiefs of Police and City Marshals. 



Answering requests from Governor Stubbs on the condition of law enforce- 
ment the following letters were received from chisfs of police and city marshals : 
J. E. READY. 

Chanute, Kan., March 20, 1910. 
Hon. W. R. Stubbs, Governor, Topeka, Kan. 

Dear Sir : Am in receipt of your communication this a. m., and will say in 
reply, that our former chief rigidly enforced the law therefore we had a larger 
percentage of arrests for drunkenness, but believe that I am perfectly safe in 
saying drinking has diminished at least two-thirds and crimes growing out of 
drunkenness are almost a thing of the past. Am personally acquainted with the 
former chief and well acquainted in Chanute. Will frankly say we have a clean 
little city and it will be my one effort to keep it so while in office. Took my 
oath of office two days asro. Trusting this satisfactorily answers your com- 
munication I beg to remain, •» Yours very respectfully, 

J. E. READY, Chief of Police. 

29 



HUTCHINSON. 

W. R. Stubbs, Governor. 

In answer to yours of 19th day of March, 1910: July, 1908, drunks 127; 
total arrests, 241. Fines assessed, $1,103. Fines collected $812.65. July, 1909, 
drunks, 16; total arrests 46. Fines assessed, $678.00; fines collected, $461.00. 

G. T. HERN, Chief of Police. 

L. M. UNDERWOOD, Sergeant. 



WINFIELD. 

Hon. W. R. Stubbs, Governor. 

Dear Sir: Your letter of inquiry of March 19, received and contents noted. 
Will say that since the policy of rigidly enforcing the prohibitory law was be- 
gun in Winfield that drunkenness has diminished at least 85 per cent and crime 
growing out of drunkenness has diminished in like ratio. I have been connected 
with the police department in Winfield most of the time since 1884 and ought to 
be a fairly good judge. Yours very truly, 

JAS. McLAIN, City Marshal. 



EMPORIA. 

Emporia, Kan., March 20, 1910. 
W. R. Stubbs, Governor, Topeka, Kan. 

Dear Sir: The time for actual data is too limited to give actual figures as 
to decrease of crime caused by drunkenness in Emporia. But from reliable 
sources and my experience as city marshal for the past seven years crime directly 
attributed to the use of intoxicants has decreased from 50 to 60 per cent 
since the rigid enforcement of the prohibitory law in Kansas. 

Yours truly, 

THOMAS FRANCIS, City Marshal. 



MANHATTAN. 

Manhattan, Kan., March 21, 1910. 
Hon. W. R Stubbs, Topeka, Kan. 

Dear Sir: In answer to your inquiry of the 19th will say that there has 
been material decrease in drunkenness since strict enforcement of the prohibitory 
law. Yours respectfully, 

WM. DOUGHERTY, City Marshal. 



WELLINGTON. 

Wellington, Kan., Mt.rch 21, 1910. 
W. R. Stubbs, Governor, Topeka, Kan. 

Dear Sir: Yours of March 19, at hand and will say in reply that crime is 
on the decrease. As to whiskey, there is not as much drank as there was but 
bootleggers are still doing business and they are hard to convict. For a man 
that will buy and drink bootleg whiskey will swear to a lie to protect the boot- 
legger. If there was a law so a man could get a search warrant for a private 
house, where you were almost certain they were selling, it would help out. I 
believe this is all the information I can give. I will close. 

Yours truly, 

C. C. SHAWVER, City Marshal. 



WICHITA. 

Wichita, Kan., March 21, 1910. 
Hon. W. R. Stubbs, Topeka, Kan. 

Dear Sir: In reply to yours of the 19th inst., would say that in our court 
there is a slight increase in crime, growing out of drunkenness, but I don't see 
as many drunkards on the street as before the rigid enforcement of the pro- 
hibitory law. As our city is larger in population, the increase might be expected 
as far as crime is concerned. For exact figures it might be well to inquire at 
the police court. Yours respectfully, 

C. W. ROOT, Marshal of City Court. 



GARDEN CITY. 

Garden City, March 21, 1910. 
Hon. W. R. Stubbs, Governor State of Kansas, Topeka, Kan. 

Dear Sir: I received your inquiry today in regard to enforcement of the 

30 



prohibitory law and in reply will say that I have been deputy marshal here since 
May 24, 1909, and was appointed city marshal January 13, 1909. 

I find that crime and disorder diminish accordingly with the strict en- 
forcement of the prohibitory law, or even by the employment of officers that are 
known to favor the strict enforcement of the law. Where there is no secret 
detective force, as is the case here, actual convictions are hard to secure. Gar- 
den City has a population of perhaps 4,500 persons and there is but the one city 
marshal. Have had only one drunk before the police judge in four weeks and 
would also state that when the sugar mill closed here in January throwing 
perhaps ^100 men out of employment not a single arrest was necessary for any 
city ordinance or state law. No extra police or extra help has been required 
through this time. Hoping that the above will be satisfactory, I remain, 
Yours respectfullv, 

A. LINCOLN LOGAN, City Marshal. 

OTTAWA. 

Ottawa, Kan., March 20, 1910. 
W. R. Stubbs, Governor, Topeka, Kan. 

Dear Sir : In reply to your inquiry will say that drunkenness has diminished 
25 per cent and I. know we have at least 50 per cent less cases in police court 
growing out of liquor than we had before the prohibitory law was strictly en- 
forced. While I have been an officer here for four years T have given this 
question very close attention. Our people are highly in "favor of the prohibitory 
law and its enforcement. Yours very truly, 

F. T. BRUNER, Chief of Police. 



INDEPENDENCE. 

Independence, Kan., March 20, 1910. 
W. R. Stubbs, Topeka, Kan. 

Dear Governor: Yours just received. Will say that in regard to the in- 
formation that you are seeking that since the prohibitory law is enforced there 
is not more than 40 per cent sent up as were before it was enforced. In regard 
to bootleggers if we could get the federal authorities to take hold and handle 
some of them for us I think that would stop a great deal of bootlegging. We 
have arrested. twenty-two or twenty-three bootleggers and convicted them in the 
last eight months, and have not got all of thpm yet, but will be found trying to 
get them. I think if some of them were handled by the government it would be 
a great help. I remain yours respectfullv, 

D. M. VANCLEAVE, Chief of Police. 



CONCORDIA. 

W. R. Stubbs, Governor, Topeka, Kan. 

Dear Sir: Replying to your letter of inquiry, 19th inst. as to increase or 
decrease of drunkenness, will say that in my eleven years' work with the sheriff's 
office, and police force here, drunkenness has decreased 75 per cent 
and crimes usually brought about by drink have decreased in about the same 
proportion. To explain, in February, 1898, our county jail had in it eleven 
prisoners, seven charged with felony. During the three years and four months, 
which I had charge of the jail, beginning at above date, the average number 
confined therein was five, since which time the average has fallen to one, the 
jail being empty one-half the time. In 1899 the average Saturday sales of booze 
as reported by the three joint keepers was $150 each or $450 by all of them, it 
is safe to say that sales by drug stores and other sources amounted to $50 more. 
The average number of arrests and trials in police court has not fallen off in as 
large a per cent for the reason that arrests are made now for offences that were 
formerly unnoticed. The sudden change of front recently made by our county 
attorney and the short visit made to this county by one of the attorney general's 
assistants, has made a perceptibly good effect in checking bootlegging. No ar- 
rests have been made in our county the present month for any other off ense_ than 
bonze selling, and gambling. While the above report is somewhat rambling I 
believe it is in the main true, I will cheerfully answer any question the state 
officers may send out. I have some information as to how the boozehandledby 
bootleggers gets into the state, I deem it to be of no use to give this information 
to our local revenue officers, for the reason that such information as I have 
given them has been used for a different purpose than intended, and differently 
than it should have been. 

Yours very respectfullv, 

C. E. BENTLEY, City Marshal. 

31 



BELOIT. 

Beloit, Kan., March 20, 1910. 
Hon. W. R. Stubbs, Governor, Topeka, Kan. 

Dear Sir: In reply to yours of the 19th, will say, that in my opinion the 
percentage of drunkenness and crime has decreased fully 90 per cent, under the 
strict enforcement of the prohibitory law. I have occupied the office of city 
marshal for the past sixteen years, and am therefore in a position to make a 
close estimate ; our chief trouble here is from liquor that is shipped in by private 
parties. Very respectfully yours, 

SAMUEL BANKS. 



HIAWATHA. 

Hiawatha, Kan., March 21, 1910. 
Hon. W. R. Stubbs, Topeka, Kan. 

Dear Sir : In reply to yours of the 19th, will say that drunkenness and the 
crimes growing out of the use of liquor has diminished at least 75 per cent since 
the rigid enforcement of the prohibitory law in our city. Our greatest trouble 
is suppressing the "bootleggers" who get their supplies from Nebraska. 

Truly yours, 

S. VANOVER, City Marshal. 



LEAVENWORTH. 

Leavenworth, Kan., March 21, 1910. 
W. R. Stubbs, Governor. 

Dear Sir: Replying to your letter of the 19th inst., I have to say that in 
order to determine "ratio of increase or decrease of crime" since the policy of 
rigidly enforcing the prohibitory law in this city began, it would be necessary 
for me to go back over the records for a given period prior to that time, and 
that would prevent a prompt reply to your letters. There have been 465 arrests 
for drunkenness from April 1st, 1909, up to and including March 20th, 1910. 
Many of these cases were "drunks from Kansas City," and are not chargeable 
to leaks in this city. Without being in possession of exact figures, I venture 
the statement that we are making more arrests for drunkenness in homes than 
formerly, and that on a call from some member of the family. This shows that 
the intoxicants are being taken to the homes of those who will not do without it. 
Of course we have those with us who try to run joints. They are migratory, 
moving from place to place, but on the whole L eavenwor th is as law-abiding city 
as any in the states and more so than some, as the records show. 
Very respectfully, 

J. T. TAYLOR, Chief of Police. 



PITTSBURG. 

Pittsburg, Kan., March 21, 1910. 
Hon. W. R. Stubbs, Governor of Kansas. 

Dear Sir : Your letter of March 19, 1910, received and will send you police 

reports from April 1st, 1907, to March 21, 1910, giving the number of arrests in 

each month, and also showing that the prohibitory ordinance was passed in May, 

1908. Hoping that this will give you what information you may want, I remain, 

Yours very truly, 

I. N. SKINNER, Chief of Police. 

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